WILLETTS, George

George Willetts was born in Colley Gate, Cradley, and in 1914 was living with his parents, James and Mary Willetts, at 58 Banner Street, Overend. He enlisted in the Warwicks and joined the 14th (Birmingham Pals) Battalion in the 5th Division. In 1917 they endured the travails of the Third Battle of Ypres and in November were sent to Italy to halt the Austrian attack on Venice. They returned to the Western Front in June 1918 and supported the initial advances of the Advance to Victory in August. In September they were at the centre of the approach to the Hindenburg Line and on the 29th September the Warwicks assisted in the crucial breaking of the Line. The battle was hard fought and among those killed in action was Private George Willetts. He is buried in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers Plouich (IV C 13) and is commemorated on the Cradley and Halesowen Memorials.