william bill thomas klersy spitfire 9 ix pl344

William Thomas Klersy, DSO, DFC & Bar (30 July 1922 – 22 May 1945) was a Canadian ace who served in the RCAF during the Second World War. He was credited with at least fifteen aerial victories.

Bill Klersy served with No.401 squadron and initially flew Spitfire MkVb fighters. However, the squadron received Spitfire MkIX’s in October 1943. Many sorties were flown in preparation, during and after Operation Overlord in Normandy, France.

In January 1945 Klersy became the commanding officer of No.401 squadron, based in the Netherlands supporting the Allied advance into Germany.

He was killed in a flying accident on the 22nd May 1945 when escorting a section of Spitfires from Tangmere. He is buried in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.

This Spitfire MkIXe is still airworthy and is believed to be the Spitfire with the highest number of credited kills which is still flying.