Private George Frederick Willis
| Date of Birth | 27 March 1885 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 29 |
| Date of Death | 23 September 1915 |
| Service Number | 6613 |
| Military Service | 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment |
| Merton Address | 84 Robinson Road |
| Local Memorial | Christ Church, Colliers Wood |
Additional Information
George was born in Battersea on 27 March 1885 together with his twin brother Arthur William. In 1891, the six year old boys were living with their parents, James and Eliza at 4 Gothic Villa, Lyvedon Road, Mitcham (now Tooting). George’s father was employed as a Civil Service Clerk. George’s other siblings were Louisa aged 17, Frank 15 and Alice aged 9. The Census for 1901 sees the family still living at the same address, and the brothers were not yet working. Brother Frank had followed his father into the same profession, while Alice was employed as a Music Teacher. Their residence, a double fronted house, was quite substantial, as another family of six by the name of Clifton were recorded as boarders.
On 18 August 1910, George married Minnie Ethel Stimson at Christ Church, Mitcham. George was living at 6 Finborough Road, Tooting while being employed as a Clerk. The 1911 Census records the couple living at 4 Railway Approach, Tooting Junction.
During World War 1 George enlisted at Kingston with the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment as a Private. His battalion would have seen action during the Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. On 23 September 1915, the Battalion’s War Diary records that a fatigue party was working in the village of Maricourt, on the Somme. An extract from the Diary records:
“In the afternoon the enemy shelled the village (Maricourt) for about a quarter of an hour. Four men killed, 5 wounded and 4 slightly wounded, mostly of A Coy. …. The shelling was probably due to the number of men in the streets during the afternoon watching a fight between two aeroplanes….”
Sadly, George was probably one of the men that were killed, as he died on that day. He is buried at Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery and the inscription on his grave reads: “ He Died That We Might Live”. He is also commemorated locally at Christ Church, Colliers Wood.
George’s twin brother Arthur served as a Bombardier with the Royal Field Artillery, and fortunately survived the war. He married Emily Wedlake in 1919, and lived for a time at Eagle Villa, Robinson Road. George’s widow Minnie would have received his medals and £3.13.7 owing from his pay plus the War Gratuity of £3.00 while living at 84 Robinson Road, Colliers Wood.