Raymond Henry Willies

Army number 5735141
Regiment 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment (Part of 43rd Division)
Medals – Arnhem & France Liberation and War Medals

Raymond joined Army in January 1941. Stationed at Hastings. Set sail for Normandy 16th June 1944 Landed on Gold Beach 21st June. With 3rd Canadian Division advanced to location Hill 112. Here 1st heavy battle against SS Panzer Troops took place with heavy losses of our boys. Moved on to Chateau Fontaine. Days of fierce fighting against Panzers eventually they were defeated and progress made to the River Siene at Vernon crossing point, linking with Polish Airborne. Two days and all units crossed the river and advances made in Belgium and Holland. Then Operation Market Garden. The advance to Berlin and Victory Europe May 8th 1945. Raymond had Class B release July 1946.