The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private S Willis

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Photograph by "Claude Laignel"

Private Samuel WILLIS, G/17946, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment,  killed in action, Flanders France, 9th May 1917.

Born Stanford, Essex, son of H Willis, Baker Street, Orsett Grays, Essex.

1911 Census - Dodds Cottage, Bulpham Terrace, Childerditch, Essex - Ellen Newborn, head, age 45, single, born not known; Philip Eara Newborn, son, age 16, single, farm labourer, born Orsett, Essex; David Victor Newborn, son, age 12, school, born, Grays, Essex; Isaac Sidney Newborn, son, age 11, school, born, Grays, Essex; Albert Ernest Newborn, son, age 8, school, born, Grays, Essex; Ellen Edith Newborn, daughter, age 6, school, born, Grays, Essex; Samuel Willis, age 28, farm labourer, born not known.

Enlisted Warley, Essex, age 33, height 5ft 3¼ inches, weight 107lbs, physical development poor, chest 1" under the standard, overiding 5th right toe.  Resided 3 Peartree Cottages, South Ockenden, Essex. Farm labourer.

30th March 1916, called up; 31st March 1916, 12th Battalion, Royal West Surrey Regiment, Service No.11973; 1st September 1916, transferred to 97th Training Reserve Battalion, Service No.TR/10/32525; 13th October 1916, transferred to Royal West Kent Regiment; 14th October 1916, disembarked; 30th October 1916, joined Battalion "A" Company.

13th September 1919, Statement of Relatives, (completed by Mrs Ellen Newborn, foster mother) - Widow, none; Children, none; Father, deceased; Mother, deceased; Brothers - Henry George Willis, age 48, 4 Baker Street, Orsett; William Willis, age 50, address unknown / 8 Union Lane, Orsett, Essex; Sisters - Alice Willis, age 30, Hammersmith ???????? unknown.

Buried at Orchard Dump Cemetery, I. F. 7., Arleux-en-Gohelle, Pas de Calais, France.