WW11 info please?

[Merrille]

Can anyone give me any info on No 4 PTS,RAF, please.
My uncle Fl lt S C Willis and his crew crashed at Bari, Italy on 3.3.1945, and I cannot trace 4 PTS anywhere.
Many thanks,
Merrille.

[Stanwell]

World War Eleven?
I must have missed a few - I should get out more. :E

[DaveReidUK]

At the risk of giving a helpful response, there's a reference here:

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/Research/RAF-Historical-Society-Journals/Journal_46_Seminar_N_Med_Ops_in_WW_II_Italy_Balkans_Greece.p df

to No 4 Parachute Training School at Gioia del Colle (Page 36).

[M-62A3]

Merille,
From "RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912" (Sturtivant/Hamlin; Air- Britain Publication):
No.4 Parachute Training School.
Formed 2.5.44 at GIOIA DEL COLLE consequent on the disbandment of No.4 METS (dropping zone at Lido da Roma); 23.7.44 started training both parachutists and suppy-drop crews with 6 Wellington, later 4 Hudson; 10.10.44 transferred from No.214 Group to MACAF: Disbanded 30.4.45.
Aircraft:Wellington X; Hudson IV (AM631).

METS = Middle East Training School.
MACAF = Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Forces.

Hope this will help, Tony Broadhurst

[teeteringhead]

Merille

I'm sure you're familiar with the CWGC website and records, but they give the following info also:

Flt Lt Sidney Charles Willis RAFVR (162011) is commemorated in the Bari War Cemetery at grave reference IX.A.1

He was aged 32 and son of Sidney Charles and Ethel M Willis, and husband of Nancy Eleanor Willis of Henleaze, Gloucestershire.

There are 12 other RAFVR casualties in the BARI Cemetery, with deaths recorded as the same day; some (or all) would have been his crew, depending on aircraft type and role.

The others are:

Sgt Gilbert Nickless (sic) Barker

Sgt Percy Raymond James Bosely

Sgt Frederick Charles Collis

FS (Flight Sergeant) Ronald Vincent Cremins

LAC (Leading Aircraftman) William Briggs

Sgt Robert Hall

Sgt Frank Turner

FS John Andrew Wingrove

Sgt Frederick Charles Leonard

FS Kenneth Morison

Cpl Newby Whyvel

Plt Off Henry William Yearley

There are also NOK (Next of Kin) details for the others too. In addition to Flt Lt Willis, only Collis and Whyvel were married.

[Old-Duffer]

The aircraft involved was a Hudson V serial number AM817. It stalled, crashed and caught fire 5 miles north west of Gioia (rather than at Bari).

I don't know the number or names of the casualties. However, a quick look at the Form 1180 held at the RAF Museum will reveal this, together with a summary of the accident.

Old Duffer

[M-62A3]

Merille,
In this case AM817's Form 1180 records only the pilot's name; F/Lt. S.C. Willis (162011).

RAF - 5 crew all killed.
Other - 10, of eight were killed and two uninjured.

Duty: Para training.
Stalled in turn, crashed into ground. Caught fire in crash.

Tony Broadhurst

[teeteringhead]

Tony

5 Crew + 8 out of 10 pax/dispatchers/PJIs/whatever; that would seem to tie in with the total of 13 VR on that date in the BARI Cemetery.

[Merrille]

Thank you Dave.
Much appreciated, apologies for delay.
Merille.

[Merrille]

Tony, thank you for the info on 4pts and SC Willis, etc. I'm really grateful. You have solved the one remaining puzzle, my family history research can now end peacefully.
Apologies for the delay in thanking you.
Regards, Merrille.

[Merrille]

Many thanks for info on Fl Lt Willis and 4pts. I could never have found such information by myself! I'm very grateful.
Regards,
Merrille.

[longer ron]

You probably have this info - but from the unit histories site...

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv316/volvosmoker/Willis_zpsse8vmksx.jpg

rgds LR