William Leonard Charles Dunkerton

The Patrol left before stand down and are not on the 1942 nominal roll.

Known as Bill, Bill Dunkerton became a farmer on his parents, Leonard and Elizabeth's, farm after leaving Elmhurst School in Street. He joined the Baltonsborough Local Defence Volunteers when it was formed in May 1940. When he was in the Home Guard there was an invasion scare. They went up Reservoir Hill (Windmill Hill) which is behind Hillside House, Ham Street. They where there on guard duty and look out as this is the highest point for all-round observation in the village. Bill was armed with his father’s 12 bore shotgun and a .410 revolver.

Bill passed his RAF exam at Elmhurst School and he joined the RAF as a wireless operator. He was called up during Easter 1940 and went to RAF Carditon.

He was there for 3 days but was sent home on full pay, his service deferred for 6 months as he was under age.
Recruited by Sergeant Gould, William Leonard Dunkerton subsequently joined the Auxiliary units before finally being called up and serving with the RAF. Leaving the Patrol on Boxing Day 1940 aged 17 ½.

He started his training at RAF Cranwell on different types of radio and radar.

Later he joined RAF Coastal Command and was in different Squadrons such as 53 Squadron working with Hudsons and 232 Squadron on Sunderlands and later Catalinas. He help set up anti-submarine radar in the UK and the Bay of Biscay.

Bill eventually went to Burma serving with 5575 Mobile Signals Unit, part of HQ Signals 5 - area flying control. He was in Rangoon seeing the final surrender and the end of the war. Bill came home in 1946 having served 6 years and 6 months, 6 months deferred.

On his return Bill's father told him there was money to be made in milk and cider, as beer was still rationed. Bill decided to have a go at both and put his savings into buying a tractor for £303.10s. He worked the farm and delivered milk for 40 years. He married Joan Heal in 1947.

Bill had a apple named after him: “The Dunkerton Late Sweet” which was planted from a pip during the war.

He was also in the 6th Somerset Cadre, the Home Guard unit formed for the Cold War between 1952 and 1957 as a rank of Sergeant. Then their HQ was at Glastonbury.

William “Bill” Dunkerton died 2007.