Person Page - 1678

      William Louis Willis was born on 10 Oct 1890 at 'Jarvisfield' in Picton, New South Wales.

He began military service on 17 Sep 1915 in Toowoomba, Queensland, in the 5th Light Horse Regiment, 13th Field Artillery Brigade, 25th Field Artillery Brigade & 14th Field Artillery Brigade, Australian Infantry Force, Service No. 2086, serving in Egypt, France and Belgium.
William joined his unit in Maadi, Egypt in early March. He was then transferred to the Field Artillery Brigade at Tel-el-Kebir at the end of the month. He joined the 4th, and then the 13th FAB, 52nd Battery. The following month, he was mustered as a Driver at Ferry Post. He was then transported to the Western Front in June.
Once he settled in, he was taken on strength to the 25th FAB. Artillery units were essential to overall Allied strategy. Infantry and Command relied heavily on them for the success of operations. At the end of December, William attended a Signalling School, and when he returned in January, was transferred to the 13th FAB, 50th Battery. After another training session at a Signal School, Artillery Units were positioned for the Third Battle of Ypres. Firepower here was vital. Not only in destroying enemy defences, but also, in providing the creeping barrage; a protective curtain behind which the infantry could advance.
On the 4th of October, the 50th Battery was firing against the Germans at Passchendaele Ridge. However, the telephone lines between the Observation Officer and the Battery were constantly being cut by fire. William, who was with the Forward Observation Officer, took it upon himself to stand in an exposed position in view of the enemy, to visually signal the Battery. He stayed at this post for many hours, despite heavy shelling, enabling operations to continue. For his devotion to duty, William was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was promoted Temporary Bombardier, and awarded the Military Medal on the 31st of October. William then qualified for a commission in the field.
In January 1918, he was taken to England to attend the Royal Cadet School. He was subsequently appointed 2nd Lieutenant on the 19th of September, and returned to France later that month. On the 11th of October, he was transferred to the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column, and 14th FAB, 114th Battery a week later. After the war ended, William was promoted Lieutenant on the 19th of December. He remained with his men, until he was shipped back to England in March 1919.
He set off for Australia onboard the Orontes on the 15th of May 1919, and on his return to Australia he was discharged from active service on 24 Aug. 1919.

William Louis Willis married Mary Hilary Cornell on 29 Sep 1915 in Meringandan, Queensland.
William and Mary lived at 'Erinvale' in Toowoomba, Queensland.

William Louis Willis died on 27 Dec 1966 in Brisbane, Queensland, at the age of 76.

      Mary Hilary Cornell was born on 5 Jun 1890 a daughter of Arthur E. and Clarissa B. (Southerden) Cornell. Mary Hilary Cornell was also known as Hilary.

Mary Hilary Cornell married William Louis Willis, son of William Willis and Margaret Mulholland, on 29 Sep 1915 in Meringandan, Queensland.
Mary and William lived at 'Erinvale' in Toowoomba, Queensland.

Mary Hilary Cornell died on 9 Jan 1960 in Brisbane, Queensland, at the age of 69.

      James Vivian Willis was born on 13 Jul 1893 at 'Jarvisfield' in Picton, New South Wales.

James Vivian Willis married Edith Marshall on 9 Jan 1918 in Toowoomba, Queensland.

James Vivian Willis died on 19 Feb 1982 in Queensland at the age of 88.

      Edith Marshall was born on 28 Jul 1893 a daughter of Charles and Edith (Davey) Marshall.

Edith Marshall married James Vivian Willis, son of William Willis and Margaret Mulholland, on 9 Jan 1918 in Toowoomba, Queensland.

Edith Marshall died on 14 Oct 1982 in Queensland at the age of 89.

      Catherine Celia Willis was born on 13 Oct 1895 at 'Jarvisfield' in Picton, New South Wales.

Catherine Celia Willis married Cyril Bede Raffery on 30 May 1917 in Toowoomba, Queensland.

Catherine Celia Raffery died on 31 Jul 1983 in Queensland at the age of 87.

      Cyril Bede Raffery was born on 2 Nov 1882.

Cyril Bede Raffery married Catherine Celia Willis, daughter of William Willis and Margaret Mulholland, on 30 May 1917 in Toowoomba, Queensland.

Cyril Bede Raffery died on 20 Aug 1954 in Queensland at the age of 71.

      John Harold Willis was born on 14 Nov 1896 at 'Jarvisfield' in Picton, New South Wales.

John Harold Willis died on 31 Jan 1903 at 'Jarvisfield' in Picton, New South Wales, at the age of 6 and his death was recorded in the Picton Post and Avocate of 4 Feb. 1903 as follows:
Death of two children
Quite a gloom was casted over the town when it became known that Mr & Mrs William Willis had lost two of their children – both boys. The stroke came with awful swiftness for the little fellows who on Wednesday, were in their wonted health, were laid to rest in St Mark’s Churchyard on Sunday afternoon. The children who were age six and three years were victims of croup. The eldest boy died on Saturday and the youngest one on Sunday morning. The spectacle of two little coffins being lowered into the one grave was indeed a pathetic one. Deep sympathy is felt for the parents in their great sorrow.

      Helena Mildred Willis was born on 3 Sep 1898 at 'Jarvisfield' in Picton, New South Wales.

Helena Mildred Willis married John Reid on 25 Aug 1926 in Toowoomba, Queensland.

Helena Mildred Reid died on 22 Jun 1965 in Queensland at the age of 66.

      John Reid was born on 12 Jan 1884 a son of David and Jeanette (Hamilton) Reid.

John Reid married Helena Mildred Willis, daughter of William Willis and Margaret Mulholland, on 25 Aug 1926 in Toowoomba, Queensland.

John Reid died on 14 May 1974 in Brisbane, Queensland, at the age of 90.

      Edward Willis was born on 22 Jan 1900 at 'Jarvisfield' in Picton, New South Wales.

Edward Willis died on 1 Feb 1903 at 'Jarvisfield' in Picton, New South Wales, at the age of 3 and his death was recorded in the Picton Post and Avocate of 4 Feb. 1903 as follows:
Death of two children
Quite a gloom was casted over the town when it became known that Mr & Mrs William Willis had lost two of their children – both boys. The stroke came with awful swiftness for the little fellows who on Wednesday, were in their wonted health, were laid to rest in St Mark’s Churchyard on Sunday afternoon. The children who were age six and three years were victims of croup. The eldest boy died on Saturday and the youngest one on Sunday morning. The spectacle of two little coffins being lowered into the one grave was indeed a pathetic one. Deep sympathy is felt for the parents in their great sorrow.

     Harriet Willis was baptised on 6 Jul 1852 at the Parish in Camden; The Oaks; Picton; Stonequarry, New South Wales, (Father incorrectly recorded as Timothy.)

Harriet Willis married James Williams on 24 Jul 1879 in Picton, New South Wales.

Harriet Willis died on 21 Feb 1886 in Camden, New South Wales, at the age of 33.

      James Williams was born about 1850 in Campbelltown, New South Wales, a son of Samuel and Serena Williams.

James Williams married Harriet Willis, daughter of William Willis and Celia Mitchell, on 24 Jul 1879 in Picton, New South Wales.

James Williams died on 30 Oct 1909 in Camden, New South Wales.

      Arthur Charles Regent Hawkins was born on 15 Jul 1872 in Maitland, New South Wales, a son of Charles F. and Matilda F. (née Hawkins) Richards. Arthur Charles Regent Hawkins was also known as Richards.

Arthur Charles Regent Richards married Jane Brown on 12 Sep 1891 in Newcastle, New South Wales.

Arthur Charles Regent Richards died on 3 May 1945 in West Maitland, New South Wales, at the age of 72.

      Jane Brown was born on 1 Jul 1866 in Wollombi, New South Wales, a daughter of James and Louisa (née Matthews) Brown.

Jane Brown married Arthur Charles Regent Richards on 12 Sep 1891 in Newcastle, New South Wales.

Jane Richards died on 21 Aug 1947 in West Maitland, New South Wales, at the age of 81.