Harry Willis
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Harry Willis was born in 1883 at Nottingham, he was the son of Walter John a policeman and Bertha Willis of Union Terrace Union Road St Ann's Nottingham.
His father Walter John was born in 1853 at Sherwood Lodge, Nottingham, his mother Bertha was born in 1848 at Nottingham, she died prior to the 1911 census they were married and went on to have 10 children, sadly 3 were to die in infancy or early childhood.
He was the husband of Nellie Elizabeth Mason (born 21st January 1890) they were married on 30th August 1913 at St Marks Church, Nottingham,
Commencing 23rd April 1917 his widow was awarded a pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence a week.
His widow remarried Private 63093 W Etherington they lived at 1 Galloway's Yard Milton Street Nottingham.
Private Harry Willis enlisted at Nottingham, he served with the 2nd battalion Grenadier Guards, he was killed inaction on 13th September 1916, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial
Nottingham Evening Post obituary (abridged), 5 October 1916: 'Willis. Killed in action, September 15th (sic) 1916, Private Harry Willis, Grenadier Guards, husband of Nellie Willis, 1 Gallloway's Yard, Milton Street. Wife, father, sisters, brothers.'
His brother Private Herbert Willis enlisted at Nottingham he served with the 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment he was killed in action on 9th August 1916 he is buried at Vermelles British Cemetery
additional research Peter Gillings
Photo of Harry Willis
Vermelles British cemetery, France