WILLETTS, Thomas

Thomas Willetts was the son of Joseph and Mary Ann Willetts and was married to Emily Willetts of 9 Hurst Green, Blackheath. He enlisted in the Worcesters and joined the 14th Battalion, the Pioneers of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. They were called to the Somme for the final battle of the long saga of 1916. This was a determined and successful effort to secure the valley of the Ancre which had been the target for the first day of the 1st July. In 1917 they were again called to the final phase of the Third Battle of Ypres. Three attacks on the Paddebeek and its fortified farms were made in October and November. They were eventually successful but at great cost. The casualties included Private Thomas Willetts who was killed in action on the 12th November. He was 35 years of age and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot, Blackheath and Halesowen Memorials.