Flying Officer Joshua Stephen Willis (44051) served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was the son of James Willis and Isabella Willis of Roslea, Co. Fermanagh, and the husband of Gladys Martha Willis.
Joshua died on 10th September 1941 aged 34 years old. He was the Pilot of Vickers Wellington R1767 with RAF No. 25 Operational Training Unit based at Finningley, South Yorkshire, England. The Mark Ic bomber, part of B Flight, took off on a night-time, cross-country flight. At 2110hrs, a searchlight lit up the Wellington perhaps dazzling the pilot and causing disorientation.
The plane dived into the ground from a low altitude at an area known as The Horseway, about 1 mile north-east of Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, England.
Joshua Stephen Willis’ grave is in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Clough Road, Rosslea, Co. Fermanagh. Joshua’s brother Corporal Sam J. Willis served in 9th Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers, and is buried in the same graveyard.