William Antell
This is the memorial page for William Antell, native of Ystalyfera, killed during the Second World War when the Wellington bomber he was flying in was shot down whilst on a bombing raid against the German coast.
The information on William Antell comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the South Wales Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives). Thank you to Andy Ingham for additional information on the circumstances of his death.
| Name | William Fishwick Antell |
| Date of Death | 14th December 1939 |
| Place of Death | Shot down near Wangerooge enroute to bomb Wilhelmshaven |
| Age at Death | 26 (born 1913) |
| Unit and Regiment | Royal Air Force; 99 Squadron |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Service Number | 564245 |
| Additional Information | |
| Cemetery | |
| Memorial | Runnymede Memorial, Surrey |
| Remembrance Grave | |
| Local Memorials | Ystalyfera War Memorial WW1 Memorial at the English Congregational Church; (Demolished 2005) Plaque now housed in Royal British Legion, Ystalyfera. |
| Family Details | Son of Mr and Mrs. Thomas Henry Antell of Varteg Road, Ystalyfera. |
| Known Brothers | Sidney G ANTELL (Born 1915) |
| Known Sisters | Moyra J ANTELL (Born 1920) |
From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 23rd December 1939 :-
REPORTED MISSING
The sad news, that Sergeant Pilot W. Antell was reported missing was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. Antell, Heol Farteg, this week. The ready sympathy of the whole neighbourhood will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Antell in this, their hour of uncertainty, coupled with the heartfelt hope that their worst fears will prove unfounded. Sergeant Pilot Antell joined the RAF from the County School and gained rapid promotion in his chosen profession. He was home on leave about 6 weeks ago and as reported in our columns then, had interesting and exciting experiences and observations to make. Although but a young man he had travelled widely and had shown such promise that he was brought back from Iraq especially for intensive and specialist training.
He was killed whilst flying in Wellington IA, N2886 of No 99 Sqn.
Took off at 1143 from Newmarket on a reconnaissance mission over the North Sea tasked with attacking Helgoland and Wilhelmshaven. The aircraft was shot down near Wangerooge and crashed into the sea.
All of the crew were killed and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
99 Squadron lost 6 aircraft and 33 airmen on this mission.
Sgt Antell had joined the RAF pre war as an apprentice in 1933.
The full list of crew is:-
Flt Sgt JAMES ERNEST KIRBY HEALEY
Sgt WILLIAM FISHWICK ANTELL
Sgt BRIAN THOMAS BORAM
AC2 WILFRED HENRY POUNTAIN
LAC HOWARD ERIC BEAUMONT
LAC ROBERT FORSYTH
Thank You to Andy Ingham for this information.
The Father of William F ANTELL was THOMAS Henry ANTELL (Born Hellifield Yorkshire 1885) Railway Worker who came to Ystalyfera and was staying with a family in Plasycoed Alltygrug Farm Road Ystalyfera as a single person in 1911
The family of his Father was: of 35 Main Road Midland Terrace Hellifield Yorkshire
Father William Barrett ANTELL (Born Dorset 1852) Railway Engine Boiler Washer
Mother Mary ANTELL (Born 1853)
Brother William ANTELL (Born Yorkshire 1875) Silk Bobbin Weigher
Brother George ANTELL (Born Skipton Yorkshire 1877) Railway Engine Coal Man
Sister Elizabeth ANTELL (Born Yorkshire 1882)
Sister Sarah ANTELL (Born Hellifield Yorkshire 1887) Dress Maker
Brother James ANTELL (Born Hellifield Yorkshire 1890)
Sister Lucy ANTELL (Born Hellifield Yorkshire 1892)
The above listed as brother and sister therefore would have been the aunts and uncles of William Fishwick Antell, on his father's side.
From the 26th November edition of the South Wales Voice newspaper comes the news of Tom's death in 1949. A railwayman, he had also been a deacon in the English Congregational Church, Ystalyfera.
RAILWAYMAN’S DEATH
The death took place on Monday of Mr Tom Henry Antell, 22 Heol Varteg Ystalyfera, at Swansea Hospital where he had undergone a serious operation, the prospect of his full recovery were stated to be good, but unfortunately, complications set in and on Monday morning he failed to rally.
Mr Antell was 64 years of age and was due to retire from the railway in a month or so. A native of Hellifield near Skipton Yorkshire, he came to Ystalyfera 40 years ago, having been at Brecon for two years previously.
Very active in church affairs, he was a deacon of the English Congregational Church and for 17 years had been Superintendent of the Sunday school.
Besides being an accomplished First Aider, he was also a keen gardener and was for many years secretary of Ystalyfera and District L M S Horticultural Society.
A prominent member of the Dr W J Lewis and Temperance Lodges of the R A O B, Mr Antell was also very musical and was a member of the Ystalyfera, Ystradgynlais and Morriston United Male Choirs.
He leaves a widow, a son and a daughter, the latter being a Health Visitor under the Ministry of Health in London.
Cremation will take place on Friday but before the funeral proceeds to Glyntaff Crematorium, a service will be held at the English Congregational Church Ystalyfera at 12 o’clock noon.