182343 Lt Reginald Latimer Willson, 50th RTR: KIA 11/12/1944, Greece

Hi,
I am trying to find out the circumstances regarding the death of Lt Willson, he is listed as KIA in Greece. Can anybody shed any light on what 50th RTR were doing in Greece in Dec 1944 ? Does a war diary exist and as far as I know he served in North Africa, Italy and Greece.

Any info appreciated,

Cheers,

Rick

 

Hello Rick,

Kifisia, and initial burials at, in December 1944 has come up previously - please see the posts within the thread from here:

1st Battalion Welch Regiment

Forum member "gmyles" (Gus) is the Greece/Dekemvriana expert. I'll let him know of your post, hopefully he may already have some information regarding Lt. Willson that he can share with you.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2240905/reginald-latimer-willson/

Good luck with your research.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

In the meantime Rick, there is this.

"House and time at Malvern: 2, 1934 - 1938.
Regiment: Royal Tank Regt..
Died: 11 December 1944 aged 23 in Greece. Killed on active service in Athens.
Cemetery: Phaleron War Cemetery 17. C. 6.
Son of Albert Reginald and Nora Margaret Willson, of Queen's Bank, Hertford.
House Prefect.
Inns of Court, 1940.
50th Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C.
Served in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy. Killed in Athens, Dec. 1944.
He was shot through the back whilst on the steps of a hospital which was in enemy hands.
Unit war diary: WO 170/864"

Malvern College Second World War WW2 Roll of Honour

And from the pdf attached below (please note, said pdf quality is not great)



Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

 

Thanks Jim,
that is great information and very much appreciated,
cheers,
Rick

 

Hi Rick

I am sorry I took so long. I have been away from my pc for a few days.

Jim has done a great job in my absence.

There isn't much I can add to his death. But I can give you a location.

11 KRRC (part of ARKFORCE) report in their WD for 11/12/44.



379453 on a 1944 Athens map is about here.



Nothing mentioned anywhere else I am afraid.

Google maps suggests there is still has a Clinic in the vicinity.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/g2oWKaMo9eWkfmEf6

Hope this helps

Gus

 

Many thanks, that is great stuff, hopefully I will visit Athens one day and track the location down.
cheers,
Rick