Staff Sergeant William H Wise

William Henry Wise was the son of Charles Edward and Rachel Appleby Wise, and husband of Beatrice May Wise, of Darlington, Co Durham. He served as an original member of the 12th (Yorks) Parachute Battalion, and a Sergeant, when it was selected for conversion from the 10th Battalion, The Green Howards.

He took part in the Battalion's initial parachute selection course and then went to RAF Ringway in June 1943. He, along with 13 Officers and 136 ORs, completed the course on 1 July 1943 with the pass comments: 'Keen and capable'. After months of further training, he took part in the invasion of France during Op Overlord and fought in the Normandy campaign.

By mid-August, William Wise took part in the attack on Putot-En-Auge. In the early morning of 19 August 1944, the 12th Battalion began their approach on the village, led by B Coy, supported A Coy with Battalion HQ. During the morning, and despite Battalion positions being shelled heavily, all objectives were seized.

William Wise was Killed In Action at some stage during the Battalion action on 19 August 1944 aged 31 years old during the attack on Putot-En-Auge, Normandy. He is now buried at Putot-En-Auge Churchyard, Normandy. 

NB: His 1944 photo shows him with the Crown of a Warrant Officer clearly visible on his lower right sleeve.