It is with regret that I must announce the death of my Father William Watts (Wattie), creator of this website. He died peacefully on 8th September 2024 aged 98. His funeral is on Monday, 30th September 2024 and details can be found on the following website:

https://william-frankjohn-watts.muchloved.com/

Dad started this website aged 76 without any prior knowledge of website design and managed to trace many members of the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment with whom he had served in Palestine 1945-1948.

May he rest in peace.

Who do you wish to contact ? Anyone who knew or knew of William Watts (Wattie)

I have just read the sad news that Bill Watts has passed away - condolences to his family.

Bill and my Dad, Alan Mead, became firm friends when Bill set up this amazing historical 3 Para website. Bill had featured in a Daily Mail 'Lost & Found' article in 2008 which led to him tracing my Dad and others. My Dad contributed some of the photos from their time in the 3rd Parachute regiment in Palestine 1945-8. Bill traced around 65 members of the battalion and he organised reunions with old friends most of whom hadn't seen each other since 1948. One reunion in 2011 was attended by the late Bernard Cribbins.

My Dad had already had two books published but Bill inspired him to write his third book in 2O14 after my Mum passed away. The book is called ' Kalanyot - Letters from Palestine' by Alan Mead. It was about his life as an evacuee in Northampton then his Air training and Parachute regiment training and his record of his time in Palestine taken from letters he wrote to his Grandfather and later to my Mum. Bill wrote part of the Foreword in this book.

My dad is now 98 and has been in a care home for nearly 2 years with vascular dementia and although he struggles with current day matters he still likes reading and can be easily encouraged to talk about his time in the regiment.I know he has fond memories of his dear friend Bill 'Wattie' Watts

I did meet Bill myself a few times and kept in touch with him when my Dad was unable to do so himself. I hadn't heard from Bill for a couple of years although I had sent emails and letters to him so I wondered how he had been. I remember Bill as a true gentleman - may he rest in peace.

Janet Dowlman (nee Mead)

Who do you wish to contact ? Anyone who knew Bill Watts and Alan Mead