Cpl. George Richard "Dicky" Willis
British Army 2nd Btn. London Irish Rifles
from:London
My father George Willis, never talked about his experiences during the war but I managed to glean some information from him and from my mother before they passed away. He joined up with friends from London on 19th of June 1940. They made the trip to Ballymena to sign on. After that he did his basic training and served with 2nd Battalion, London Irish Rifles.
He saw action in North Africa. He was shot and badly injured at Bou Arada Tunisia on 26th of February 1943 when the Germans overran his position. He sustained machine gun wounds to his upper left leg. One round passing through his thigh and then through his lower right leg. He was attended by a German medic who undoubtedly saved his life. The medic stayed with him until the British counter attacked and drove the Germans back to where they had come from. My father was taken to a field hospital. After that he was sent back to the UK and spent long rehabilitation at Roehampton Hospital. His favourite memory of this place was being given a pint of stout each day. He was medically discharged on 30th of September 1943.
