Pilot Officer William Russell Rattray (41938) served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War Two. He was the son of George James Rattray and Helen Inglis Rattray of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.
He died on 11th March 1942 aged 22 years old when Westland Lysander T1577 of RAF 231 Squadron came down around 2.5 miles northeast of Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. The plane first struck a tree before the crew lost control and it collided with a house. Pilot Rattray and Air Gunner Sergeant Leslie George Chapman were on a low-level tactical reconnaissance exercise from RAF Maghaberry, Co. Antrim.
William Russell Rattray’s grave is in Glenalina Extension, Section AS, Grave 120 of Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast, Co. Antrim.