Bill Purdy

Prepared by the Witnesses of War team

Billy Kent “Bill” Purdy was born on 16 April 1923 in Sydney, Australia. During the Second World War, he trained as a pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force before travelling to Britain, where he flew Avro Lancaster heavy bombers with No. 463 Squadron RAAF, part of RAF Bomber Command.

Between April and August 1944, Purdy completed 37 operational missions over occupied Europe and Germany. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, he participated in the bombing of German coastal defences at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy. Returning towards England, he saw the vast Allied invasion fleet below—a sight he remembered vividly throughout his life.

For his wartime service, Purdy received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), presented by King George VI. France later honoured him with the Legion of Honour for his contribution to its liberation.

He returned to Australia in March 1945 and transferred to the reserve that September with the rank of flight lieutenant. In 1951, during the Korean War, he was recalled for flight-instructor training.

After the war, Purdy built a successful business career, eventually becoming chairman of Arnott’s Biscuits. He also maintained his lifelong connection to aviation: in 2014, shortly after his ninety-first birthday, he piloted the lead Tiger Moth in an Anzac Day fly-past over Sydney Harbour, honouring his fellow airmen and those who never returned.