Jeremy Napier Howard-Williams D.F.C. (13 March 1922 – 8 September 1995) was a Second World War fighter pilot who later wrote several books including what became the "classic account of the sail-maker's art". Family and education Howard-Williams was the son of Air Commodore Ernest Leslie Howard-Williams, an officer in the Royal Air Force, and Norah Christabel Gibson. He was educated at Hordle House School at Milford on Sea, Hampshire and then at Felsted in Essex and the Institut de Touraine at Tours, France. On 29 September 1951, he married Diana Gillian "Jill" Inglis (born 15 June 1931), the daughter of Air Vice-Marshal Frank Inglis (1899–1969) who was the Head of RAF Intelligence Staff reporting to Churchill during the War. They had three children: Anthony Inglis (born 27 June 1952), who became a highly successful music conductor. Christopher (born 22 March 1954), who became a teacher and later was Director of Human Resources at Damart International. Nicola (born 10 January 1957), who runs the Youth Ballet Ensemble in Freiburg, Germany Military career In 1940, he joined the Local Defence Volunteers, fore-runners of the Home Guard, before volunteering for the RAF. In September 1941, he became a Pilot Officer, serving in No. 604 Squadron, known as the night fighter squadron, based at Middle Wallop, under the command of Group Captain John "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham, flying Bristol Beaufighters. After a tour of operations with the squadron, he joined the Fighter Interception Unit, which made use of the RAF's early experiments with radar, testing the products of the electronic laboratories in combat. In the development unit, he flew in British (Mosquito and Tempest), American (Black Widow), and captured German (Messerschmitt Me 410) aircraft and used all types of airborne radar. He achieved the rank of Flight Lieutenant, although he acted as Squadron Leader. At the end of the war he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry. The citation read:This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and throughout has set a fine example of keenness and devotion to duty. He has shot down at least two enemy aircraft, whilst in attacks on targets on the ground he has most effectively attacked numerous locomotives and mechanical vehicles. His resolute work has won great praise. After the war he served in Singapore, Germany and finally as Assistant Air Attaché to the British Embassy in Paris. Sail maker Howard-Williams was a keen sailor