William Henry Garing was born in Corryong, Victoria, on 26 September 1910 to parents George and Amy.

He received the Distinguished Flying Cross after he held off three waves of German bombers, over 12 hours, that were attacking the Armed Merchant Cruiser Mooltan on 31 July 1940.

[1][3] Garing was also instrumental in ensuring that a final group of survivors of City of Benares were picked up on 25 September 1940.

When ranked as a Group Captain, received the US Army Distinguished Service Cross for "extraordinary heroism in action in New Guinea, during the Papuan Campaign, 23 July 1942 to 8 January 1943".

[4][5] In 1948, Garing was at the Joint Services Staff College in the U.K and in 1953 would take command of the RAAF Overseas Headquarters in London.