You are so right about Bill being a boy’s own hero – because he was one of the first into the RNZAF from Cambridge, and one of the first into action, especially because he was flying Spitfires, he seems to really have become someone who others from Cambridge aspired to when they joined up. Cambridge had a large number of Spitfire pilots, and many more who wanted to fly the type but didn’t make it. I genuinely think Bill’s inflence had something to do with this. When I asked him, he was very modest and didn’t like to comment on his influence.

I do know he was admired greatly by some odf the best – Johnnie Johnson. Bob Spurdle, Colin Grey, Al Deere and many others were among his friends and peers. They all mention Bill in their own books, with great admiration. It’s a shame Bill never wrote a book himself.

Here in Cambridge, though the older generation remember Bill with great affection, I fear his legacy will eventually disappear. Cambridge likes to celebrate it’s long history of producing sporting heroes from All Blacks to rowers to equestrian, etc, and we have a sporting walk of fame up Duke Street with all the stars inlaid into the pavement. My firm belief however is we should be making a permanent reminder of our real heroes, those that did much more than won a few gold medals in their sporting fields. Cambridge produced Bill Wells, Roy Calvert DFC**, and a load of other heroes in the RNZAF, Army and RNZN. This wanting to rememebr those who survived (as well as those who didn’t return who’re remembered on the Cenotaph) was my reasoning behind the Air Force plaque I got installed and unveiled last year by the Town Hall.

I still dont feel it is enough. Apart from my website there’s nothing else – and my site doesn’t cover the Army or Navy. I might have to plan a better memorial, maybe a wall of heroes or something.

Bill certainly became a hero to many, and especially to me when I discovered his amazing story. I hope he will never be forgotten around these parts, and the same goes for others…