(1922-07-30)30 July 1922 Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Died
22 May 1945(1945-05-22) (aged 22) The Netherlands
Buried
Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, The Netherlands
Allegiance
Canada
Service/branch
Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank
Squadron leader
Service number
J/12199
Commands held
No. 401 Squadron
Battles/wars
Second World War
Circus offensive
Invasion of Normandy
Western Allied invasion of Germany
Awards
Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar
William Thomas Klersy, DSO, DFC & Bar (30 July 1922 – 22 May 1945) was a Canadian flying ace who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during the Second World War. During his service with the RCAF, he was credited with at least fifteen aerial victories.
Born in Brantford, Klersy joined the RCAF in 1941. After serving with No. 130 Squadron in Canada, he was sent to the United Kingdom in June 1943. Posted to No. 401 Squadron, he achieved a number of aerial victories and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) before going to a staff posting with No. 83 Group in September 1944. Subsequently, awarded a Bar to his DFC, he returned to operational duties in early 1945 with a posting back to No. 401 Squadron as its commander, leading the unit as it supported the Allied advance into Germany. He was killed in a flying accident in The Netherlands on 22 May 1945. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
William Thomas Klersy, DSO, DFC & Bar (30 July 1922 – 22 May 1945) was a Canadian flying ace who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
Awarded the GM for an act of conspicuous gallantry in Gibraltar in 1942. WilliamKlersy (1922–1945), a flying ace of the Royal Canadian Air Force Memorial Field...
ISBN 978-1-84354-528-6. Greenhous, Brereton; Harris, Stephen J.; Johnston, William C.; Rawling, William G.P. (1994). The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
destroyed, three probables and 37 damaged. The next day Squadron Leader WilliamKlersy was appointed Commanding Officer. The squadron caught Fw 190s taking...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
3 shared) Edward Charles (15 & 1 shared) Don C. Laubman (15) 10–14 WilliamKlersy (14 & 1 shared) Robert Fumerton (14) Stan Turner (14) Roderick Smith...
5 Royal Air Force James Francis Edwards 15 Royal Canadian Air Force WilliamKlersy 15 Royal Canadian Air Force Donald Currie Laubman 15 Royal Canadian...
William Lidstone McKnight, DFC & Bar (18 November 1918 – 12 January 1941) was a Canadian aviator and flying ace of the Second World War. He was Canada's...
Retrieved July 31, 2023. http://acesofww2.com/can/aces/klersy.htm William Thomas "Bill" Klersy "None". Retrieved July 31, 2023. "Casualty Details | CWGC"...
Smithmark Publishers. ISBN 0-7651-1018-0. Reichert, Nikolaus; Hans Joachim Klersy (1987). VW Beetle: An Illustrated History. Sparkford, England: J. H. Haynes...
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