Michael Willetts
Michael Willetts GC | |
---|---|
Springfield Road Police Station, Belfast | |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army |
Rank | Sergeant |
Unit | 3 PARA, Parachute Regiment |
Battles/wars | Operation Banner † |
Awards | George Cross |
Michael Willetts, GC (13 August 1943 – 25 May 1971) was one of the first British soldiers to be killed during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the recipient of a posthumous George Cross for his heroism in saving lives during the Provisional Irish Republican Army bombing which claimed his own. The Harvey Andrews song "Soldier" commemorates Willetts.
Early life
Born in 1943 in
George Cross
Willetts was killed in Springfield Road RUC station by the
Medal citation
The George Cross was awarded to Sergeant Willett's widow in June and the citation appeared in the
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 p.m. 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 a Police Officer was thrusting those in the reception hall and office. He held the door open while all passed safely 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
London Gazette, 21 June 1971[3]
References
- ^ [Former link to www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/WillettsM.htm (now spam) George Cross Database], Retrieved 2007-05-20
- ^ McKittrick pp.74
- ^ "No. 45404". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 June 1971. p. 6641.