WILLIS, Alexander Jennings
| Service Number: | 401873 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 April 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 3 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Corowa, New South Wales, Australia , 9 August 1920 |
| Home Town: | Balldale, Corowa Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Albury Grammar School (1932-35) New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Middle East, 22 January 1943, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Tripoli War Cemetery, Libya Plot 12. Row D. Grave 15. |
| Memorials: | Albury Grammar School Honour Roll, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane No 3 Squadron Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Sergeant, 401873 | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 401873, No. 3 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 26 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 401873, No. 2 Initial Training School Bradfield Park | |
| 11 Dec 1941: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant | |
| 12 Jun 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant | |
| 26 Aug 1942: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 401873 | |
| 20 Nov 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 401873, No. 3 Squadron (RAAF), Middle East / Mediterranean Theatre |
Help us honour Alexander Jennings Willis's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Flight Sergeant Willis 401873 in Kittyhawk FL325 of 3SQN was hit by flak and ran into the tail of another Kittyhawk after losing control of his aircraft - he crashed near Ben Gardane and was buried next to his aircraft by soldiers.
He had been in a group of twelve Kittyhawk fighters from 3SQN on an armed recce in the Pisida - Zuara area - the unit was forming up after strafing enemy traffic on the road when FL325 was hit
One half of the group had already bombed the German landing ground at Ben Gardane where fifteen single-engined aircraft were parked while the other 6 aircraft attacked a convoy of up to 100 nose to tail vehicles.
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