Gunner William Martin Willis Royal Field Artillery Died of Wounds 11th November 1918
1914-18 British War Medal. Victory Medal.
The Man William Martin Willis was born in the last quarter of 1891 at 5 Church Street, Swanbourne, Buckinghamshire, son of David William a Farmer Labourer and Eleanor nee Roads. He was one of eight children, Henry (1892–1975), Ethel Mary (1894–1945), Daisy Agnes (1896–1970), Frederick Willis (1898–1984), Herbert (1902–),
Dorothy (1906–1986), and Albert (1907– ).
The 1891 census shows William and family living at Church Street and by 1901 they had moved to 4 Lower End Newport Pagnell and David now a Farmer in his own right. William was aged 10 and still at school.
By 1911 the family had moved to Stanford Farm, Newton Longville, near Bletchley although William now aged 20 was living at Great Gransden, Huntingdonshire and working as a Waggoner on a Farm for William and Fanny East.
At some point following the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, William enlisted into the Royal Artillery, with service number 201210 in Wolverhampton. He was posted to 24th Division ‘Y’ Trench Mortar Battery seeing service on the Western Front.
Having served throughout the war, William appears to have been gassed at some point in November 1918, he developed broncho pneumonia and was admitted to a General Hospital in France. Here he passed away on Monday 11th November 1918 aged 28.
He was buried in plot XLIX.E.33 Etaples Military Cemetery and posthumously awarded the 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal. His name was also added to the Newton Longville War Memorial and in St Faith’s Church.
Dorothy (1906–1986), and Albert (1907– ).
The 1891 census shows William and family living at Church Street and by 1901 they had moved to 4 Lower End Newport Pagnell and David now a Farmer in his own right. William was aged 10 and still at school.
By 1911 the family had moved to Stanford Farm, Newton Longville, near Bletchley although William now aged 20 was living at Great Gransden, Huntingdonshire and working as a Waggoner on a Farm for William and Fanny East.
At some point following the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, William enlisted into the Royal Artillery, with service number 201210 in Wolverhampton. He was posted to 24th Division ‘Y’ Trench Mortar Battery seeing service on the Western Front.
Having served throughout the war, William appears to have been gassed at some point in November 1918, he developed broncho pneumonia and was admitted to a General Hospital in France. Here he passed away on Monday 11th November 1918 aged 28.
He was buried in plot XLIX.E.33 Etaples Military Cemetery and posthumously awarded the 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal. His name was also added to the Newton Longville War Memorial and in St Faith’s Church.
William Willis' Medal Index Card
The Story The highly emotive World War I medal pair awarded to the family of William Willis were acquired from
Lionel Digby at Malvern Militaria Fair on Sunday 23rd March 2025.
The medals were seen very early in the day on the fourth or fifth stall after the entrance and of immediate interest because of the date of death, Armistice Day – 11th November 1918. Their acquisition was almost an involuntary reflex! As soon as the death date was seen the package was picked up to prevent anyone else buying them. The papers with the medals were checked to see if the two medals were his only entitlement, which they were and a deal struck with Lionel.
Initial research indicated that William had been killed in action on 11th November, but further digging revealed confusion in his records with the service number, indicating he had died in a Military Hospital of Broncho Pneumonia - a slow, horrible way to pass away most likely following a gas attack.
William was one of 2738 men to die on the last day of World War I.
Ancestry enabled a brief biography to be completed of a tragic end to a 28-year-old soldier, who died of wounds on arguably the most famous day in the world, after Christmas.
‘We Will Remember Him’.
Lionel Digby at Malvern Militaria Fair on Sunday 23rd March 2025.
The medals were seen very early in the day on the fourth or fifth stall after the entrance and of immediate interest because of the date of death, Armistice Day – 11th November 1918. Their acquisition was almost an involuntary reflex! As soon as the death date was seen the package was picked up to prevent anyone else buying them. The papers with the medals were checked to see if the two medals were his only entitlement, which they were and a deal struck with Lionel.
Initial research indicated that William had been killed in action on 11th November, but further digging revealed confusion in his records with the service number, indicating he had died in a Military Hospital of Broncho Pneumonia - a slow, horrible way to pass away most likely following a gas attack.
William was one of 2738 men to die on the last day of World War I.
Ancestry enabled a brief biography to be completed of a tragic end to a 28-year-old soldier, who died of wounds on arguably the most famous day in the world, after Christmas.
‘We Will Remember Him’.
Soldiers effects showing date of death
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Newton Longville War Memorial and St Faith's Church.
William Willis's Headstone, Etaples Military Cemetery, France.
Medal Details
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 201210 GNR.W.WILLIS. R.A.
- Victory Medal: 201210 GNR.W.WILLIS. R.A.
This page last updated 30 Mar 25
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