Michael Willetts
Although Michael is not a WW2 casualty he is included in the Book of Remembrance as it was compiled in 2003 and includes post WW2 casualties.
- Family History
- Military history
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Son of Samuel and Anne Willetts.
Married Sandra Long in 1965 and they had 2 children, Trudy and Dean.
He enlisted in 1962 and had several postings around the world.
He was one of the first British soldiers to be killed during The Troubles in Northern Ireland and he was awarded a posthumous George Cross for heroism in saving lives in the Provisional Irish Republican Army's bombing of the RUC Police Station on Springhill Road which claimed his own life.
George Cross Citation:
The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the George Cross to 23910067 Sergeant Michael Willetts, The Parachute Regiment.
At 8:24 pm on the evening of 25th May 1971, a terrorist entered the reception hall of the Springfield Road Police Station in Belfast. He carried a suitcase from which a smoking fuse protruded, dumped it quickly on the floor and fled outside. Inside the room were a man and a woman, two children and several police officers. One of the latter saw at once the smoking case and raised the alarm. The Police Officers began to organise the evacuation of the hall past the reception desk, through the reception office and out by a door into the rear passage.
Sergeant Michael Willetts was on duty in the inner hall. Hearing the alarm he sent an N.C.O up to the first floor to warn those above and hastened himself to the door towards which the Police Officer was thrusting through those in the reception hall and office. He held the door open while all passed through and then stood in the doorway, shielding those taking cover. In the next moment the bomb exploded with terrible force.
Sergeant Willetts was mortally wounded. His duty did not require him to enter the threatened area, his post was elsewhere. He knew well after 4 months service in Belfast, the peril of going towards a terrorist bomb but he did not hesitate to do so. All those approaching the door from the far side agree that if they had had to check to open the door they would have perished. Even when they had reached the rear passage, Sergeant Willetts waited, placing his body as a screen to shelter them. By this considered act of bravery, he risked - and lost - his life for those of the adults and children. His selflessness, his courage are beyond praise. 22nd June 1971.
Michael had been hit in the head by a piece of metal from a locker and he died on the operating table 2 hours later.
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