dbo:abstract
- William Thomas Edward Rolls DFC, DFM (6 August 1914 – July 1988) was a British flying ace of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) during the Second World War. He was credited with the destruction of at least 17 aircraft of the Axis powers. From Edmonton in London, Rolls joined the RAFVR in 1939. Called up for service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) on the outbreak of the Second World War, he was posted to No. 72 Squadron in June 1940. He flew extensively during the Battle of Britain and destroyed a number of aircraft. After the battle, he performed instructing duties until late 1941 when he was posted to No. 122 Squadron and was part of several operations over the French coast. In mid-1942 he was sent to Malta, joining No. 126 Squadron. He shot down a number of aircraft before being hospitalised and repatriated to the United Kingdom as a consequence of injuries received during the aftermath of a bombing raid. Once recovered, he performed staff duties for the remainder of the war. Demobilised from the RAF in 1946, he subsequently worked for a number of government departments, including the Air Ministry. Suffering heart trouble, he died in July 1988. (en)