WW11 info please?
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WW11 info please?
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.
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.
At the risk of giving a helpful response, there's a reference here:
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/document...ans_Greece.pdf
to No 4 Parachute Training School at Gioia del Colle (Page 36).
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/document...ans_Greece.pdf
to No 4 Parachute Training School at Gioia del Colle (Page 36).
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WW.II info
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
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
Last edited by M-62A3; 5th Feb 2015 at 08:56. Reason: additional info
Gentleman Aviator
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.
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.
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
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
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WW.II info.
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
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
Gentleman Aviator
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.
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.
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4PTS
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.
Apologies for the delay in thanking you.
Regards, Merrille.
