WALKER Don
Of Welford on Avon on 2 September 2008 aged 92. He served with The South Staffordshire Regiment in WW2.
WARD Alec
Of Mansfield on 25 December 2008. A member of Mansfield Branch WFRA, he served with 2nd Battalion The Sherwood Foresters Signals Platoon in Italy and Palestine.
WARD Ken WO2
Of Stockport on 29 May 2009. He served with The Mercian Volunteers and founded the Stockport Branch of the MVRA later becoming its Chairman.
WEBSTER Alfred
Of Leicester on 17 February 2009 aged 103. Alfred enlisted into The North Staffordshire Regiment in 1919 as a Drummer/Bugler aged fourteen. After completing basic training in Whittington Barracks, he joined the 1st Battalion in Curragh in Ireland and went with them to Gibraltar. He served for many years in India and he was discharged in 1928. His photograph appears on page 7 of the 2006 edition of The Stafford Knot when he visited the Museum, then aged 101.
WHITEHEAD John Alan Kay Maj 137214
Of Blackheath, London, on 3 May 2008. He was granted an Emergency Commission in The Sherwood Foresters and joined the 12th Battalion on 22 June 1940 serving in UK and India. He was promoted Lt on 22nd December 1941 and, on 8 February 1943, he became a Staff Captain in Central India. He became a War Service Captain on 21 October 1944 and he retired in 1946 as an Honorary Major. After demobilisation, he became a Solicitor in London.
WILKINSON William
Of Wolverhampton in November 2008 aged 72. Bill served with 1st South Staffords in Egypt and Cyprus in the mid 1950s.
WILLIAMS Jason George 30058674 Pte
Of Worcester on 8 August 2009 aged 23. Born in Worcester on 16 October 1985, Jason joined The Mercian Regiment in November 2008 after completing the Combat Infantryman’s Course at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick. He deployed to Afghanistan on Op Herrick 10 with 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment where his
The Mercian Eagle
Company, A Company, was attached to The Light Dragoons Battle Group. His platoon was detached to C Squadron The Light Dragoons working with the Danish Battle Group. In Helmand Province, Pte Williams’ Platoon operated from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Keenan at Zumbelay in the Upper Gereshk Valley. The Platoon played a crucial role providing security to the local population, enabling the reconstruction and redevelopment of the area. Jason played his part to the full, deploying daily on routine security patrols and taking part in many deliberate offensive operations to rout insurgents operating in the local area. These operations were carried out with the threat of improvised explosive devices and ambushes ever present. Pte Williams and his Platoon patrolled and fought alongside a Platoon of Warriors of the Afghan National Army (ANA) who share the FOB. It was commonplace that they would be fighting side by side in their joint efforts to build the ANA’s fighting capability and provide security to the people. They fought as brothers and as equals. On the day of his death, Private Williams’ Platoon was securing the site of an attack which had occurred earlier that day during which three ANA Warriors were killed. One of the three ANA dead could not be found and Private Williams’ Platoon was securing the area in order to prevent insurgents seizing the body. During this security operation, Private Williams initiated an improvised explosive device and was killed. On the day he died, Jason was taking part in an action which followed every soldier’s code: leave no man behind. His brave determination and commitment to his brothers in arms ensured that the Afghan Warrior’s family was able to pay their proper respects to their own fallen son. For his selfless sacrifice, ANA Warriors now refer to Jason as a hero. He will be remembered by The Mercian Regiment with honour and by his mates for his irrepressible smile.
WILLIAMS Mick A Pte 22760877
Of Malvern Link on 13 May 2009 aged 76. Born on 17 September 1932, Mick enlisted into The Worcestershire Regiment on 23 March 1953. He completed his basic training in UK and was posted to the 1st Battalion in Germany where he was a Despatch Rider in the Signal Platoon. He left the Army on 3 November 1957. He was an avid collector of military badges.
WILLIAMS Victory Sgt 4978965
Of Mickleover, Derby, on 8 March 2009 aged 89. He joined The Sherwood Foresters on 15 December 1939 and, on completion of training at Eggington Hall, was promoted to LCpl and posted to Allestree Hall, Derby to train recruits. He joined the 14th Battalion on its formation in 1940 in Markeaton Park, Derby, and served with that Battalion throughout the battle of El Alamein and on subsequent operations in the Middle East. In February 1944, he was a Platoon Sergeant when the Battalion landed at the Anzio Beachhead where he endured four months of intense fighting followed by the hard campaign up Italy. Following the disbandment of the Battalion after the battle of San Savino in September 1944, he was transferred to 6th Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment with which he served in Greece and Austria. He was demobilised in 1946. He was a member of Derby Branch and also carried the Standard for the 14th Battalion WFRA Branch until it disbanded in 2000.
WILLS Walter Thomas
On 13 December 2008 aged 84. He enlisted on 11 January 1940 and served until 10 August 1965.
WILSON Edward Bearby “Tug” Col
Of Abu Dhabi on 2 January 2009 aged 87. Born in Yorkshire in 1921, Tug was educated at Ayton Friends’ School before serving as RAF aircrew towards the end
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