Lt Cdr W. G. (‘Bill’) BRIGGS Royal Navy

Bill was born in Bognor Regis in February 1926, and was one of those teenagers who entered the RN in WW2 via the ‘Bounty Scheme’, aged 16, having learnt Morse code & basic comms procedures with the Sea Cadet Corps.

He trained at HMS St George, and then as a young telegraphist formed part of the commissioning crew for the new fleet carrier HMS Indefatigable. After a work-up, which largely consisted of taking part in the Goodwood series of air strikes on the Tirpitz, Indefatigable went out to the Far East and joined the British Pacific Fleet. In the latter stages of the war she saw much action, and was one of those British carriers that not only survived being hit by a Kamikaze, but was soon able to resume flying operations, all thanks to her armoured flight deck.

Post-war Bill continued in the RN, working his way up to CPO (Tel), before being commissioned. It is a measure of the navy of that era that he managed to serve on three more carriers, Theseus, Ark Royal (twice) and Eagle, in addition to a battleship and two cruisers. He retired as Lieutenant Commander in 1976, and went on to a second career working for Sussex County Council.  

Bill was a neighbour of mine for many years, and was one of those people that everyone liked. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, and two sons.

Any donations in his memory should go to the local Bognor Regis Sea Cadet Unit, TS Sir Alec Rose.