William Willis
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Son of John and Mary Willis, of Oxton, Southwell, Notts (CWGC); he was an only child. At the time of the 1901 census the family was living at 10 Jersey Road, Sheffield, where his father was employed as a drayman. By the time of the 1911 census the family was living in Oxton, where both his parents had been born. His father was employed as a groom and gardener (domestic) and William was a gardener/market 'own account'. At the time William enlisted in February 1915 he gave his address as Arundel(?) Drive, Mansfield. He married Elsie Ethel (nee Book), spinster, on 11 August 1915 at St Mary's church, Mansfield; their address was given as 33 Belvedere Road, Mansfield. His widow was awarded a widow's pension of 13s 9d a week from 23 April 1917.
Army service record survives. Attested 4 February 1915, age 22yrs 280days, and joined 5 February 1915 (White City). He served in France from 28 May 1916 and was killed on 26 September the same year. He is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial.
Listed in Nottinghamshire County Council register of employees who served (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref CC CL 2/12/1/1)
