Billy and Mamaw

Photographs of People

This picture of Billy and Una, his mother, was probably taken at his graduation from Navigator School, since the background scenery looks like it could be south Texas, and there are wings on his uniform, signifying that had at least completed this basic training.

Note that some of the previously unidentified people in these snapshots now have names and stories! Thanks to Joe Duncan, whose father, Art, flew at least one mission with Billy.

One of Billy and June's best friends from Houston was Shirley Estes (nicknamed "Lard"). During the war, Lard was a B-17 pilot, also based in England. He is referred to often during the Journal, as Billy was able to meet up with him a few times when both had leaves in London, or at Lard's base when Billy had time off. Here are two pictures of Lard that Billy had in a leather case, which we found among his things. It is quite possible that the picture case was with Billy in Europe. The notes written on the reverse of each picture are shown below, also.

Lard note on reverse note on reverse Lard in uniform
Lard was also close to Billy's family. We found a postcard from him to Una, which was addressed "Dearest Mom." And he was represented by a charm on a bracelet belonging to June, as well: charm bracelet

 

At right are two unlabelled photos of Billy. The jaunty one with the flying scarf was taken before his promotion to Captain, since the insignia on his cap is that of a Lieutenant. The one in the swim suit, I believe, was taken somewhere overseas. I base that conjecture on the quonset-type building in the background (although this could also have been on a base in the states). Billy in swimsuit Billy in scarf

 

We have two unlabelled pictures of Billy with different groups of mates, in addition to the official (and fortunately labelled) one of him with his "Bird Dog Special" crew. The one at right looks like another crew photo, with Billy second from the left.

Group

Group

The other group photo, at left, could be simply a group of friends, although it could also be a crew since the number of men is correct. I speculate that it was taken in France, since the housing in the oft-moved French camps was tents, according to Moench. Billy is is on the left in the front row. It might be possible to match up some of these men with those in other, labelled pictures, but I was not able to do so. Thus they remain anonymous wartime friends of Billy's.