Swaffham Bulbeck before ww1
Born and raised in Chasetown, Staffordshire, England.​
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When Ralph William Willetts was born on April 25, 1918, in Chasetown, Staffordshire, England, his father, George, was 25 and his mother, Faith, was 22. He married Sylvia Beatrice Hames in October 1945 in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. They had one child during their marriage. He died on March 2, 1974, at the age of 55.
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Siblings:
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Alan Kennith Willetts also served in the RAF
Royal Electrical Mechnical Engineer
29/11/1943 - 30/1/1946
29/11/1943
105/106 Company
Ralph would have been transferred to REME at any time from 1/10/1942 onwards, which was the formation date of REME
30/11/1943
Static W/S South Eastern Command
4/2/1944
Permanently Attached 147 Holding Regiment Royal Artillery
4/2/1944
Permanently Attached 147 (Essex Yeomanry) Field Regiment Royal Artillery
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11/6/1944
Emb UK P/A 147 (EY) Field Regt RA
Embarked UK Permanently Attached (Essex Yeomanry) Field Regiment Royal Artillery
Stamp in red ink: 21 ARMY GROUP. As 21 Army Group was the formation that managed the War in North West Europe, this stamp confirms his service there.
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30/1/1946
Y List E
A man leaving a unit on a long course, or to go into hospital for an unknown period, could not properly fill the vacancy in a unit so might have to be replaced so he was posted to the X List (overseas) or Y List in UK. The system applied to men ‘in limbo’ for various reasons and the UK Y List applied to those on release leave, still on the Army’s books but no longer in a unit.
REME Group shot
est 1942
Group shot of R.E.M.E Royal Electrical Mechanical engineer group.
Information Request
1. Pictures of REME in 147 Essex Yeomanry?
2. Books referencing unit?
3. War Diaries
My Youtube video collection that has have helped research and gain an understanding of what soldiers went through.
Meet the soldiers who survived Dunkirk and tell their stories. Also hear the veterans opinions on the New Dunkirk Movie and how it compared to the real thing.
Armchair Historian is one of my favorite History Youtubers. Who often explains history from both sides, when we typically hear a one sided version.
Amazing footage of Dunkirk in color from all sides of the war.
Fastest way to understand the battle of Dunkirk. Great over view video to get you caught up to speed.
In depth documentary of the Battle for France. Incredible foot age of tanks movements and battles. lots of information about France's involvement in the war, England not wanting to get involved. Didn't Know France invasion was delayed 28 times after Holland victory.
References
Here is a list of weblinks and books that has helped me.
