Thomas William Willis

A Sergeant with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Thomas died on 1st of July 1944 aged 23. 

Thomas was born at Carlton Colville 0n 18 July 1921, a son of Thomas William and Winifred Mabel Willis. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville, on 14 August 1921 and his family lived at The Garden House, Carlton Colville. In 1939 his family lived at Endeavour, Beccles Road, and Thomas was an apprentice carpenter and joiner. 

Thomas joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve after October 1941. In July 1944 he was a Flight Engineer serving with 12 Squadron, based at Wickenby, Lincolnshire.

On 1 July Thomas was a member of the crew of a Lancaster III bomber, number ND842 PH-K, which was taking part in a raid on the Vierzon railway yards. The aircraft was shot down by a night fighter at Magny about eleven miles south-west of Chartres. 

WITH THANKS TO: Malcolm Barrass