War service: Egypt, Western Front

Disembarked Egypt, 29 March 1916.

Joined 54th Bn, Ferry Post, 1 April 1916.

Found guilty, Moascar, 17 June 1916, of refusing to obey an order given by an N.C.O. 17/6/16: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2.'

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, france, 29 June 1916.

Found guilty, 7 July 1916, of leaving the ranks without permission: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2.

Reported missing, 19-20 July 1916.

Now officially reported Prisoner of War in Germany; capt[ured] at Levanti, 20 July 1916.

Now reported killed in action, 20 July 1916.

Note on file: 'austr. Sold. 54. Batl. Nr. 4617. Wallis, J.P. am 19.7.16. in Gegend Fromelles gefallen.'

Form B2090A: 'Killed in action (death report from Germany. Reported by German British Red Cross Death List 4.11.16.'

Red Cross File No 2840802 has statement from 4318 R.H. KELLY, 54th Bn (former prisoner of war), 31 January 1919: 'Wallis was not his real name but was something like it. He told me in confidence but I forgot the name he told me. He was in the Navy before joining up, was very young about 19. I saw him killed instantly by shell at Fromelles? (sic) I was taken Prisoner of War next day.'

Second statement, 4469 J. DAWSON (patient, Southall Hospital, England), 6 November 1916: 'I knew Wallis personally. He was in the charge at Fleurbaix on 19th., and was killed by shell. W. Walker of the same Battalion saw him killed on that date. I know Walker's statement to be correct.'

'This man's name appeared on German Death List dated 4-11-16.'

Third statement, 4501 Pte W. GREEN, 54th Bn (patient, Tooting Military Hospital, London SW, England), 19 May 1917: 'I was on Wallis' left about 50 or 60 yards off in our 1st line trench when a shell dropped on the top of the parapet close to where he was standing and blew him to pieces. He was in Platoon X (the same as myself) 7th Section, and the same shell killed six othermen in that section. It happened at Fleurmelles just before we went over the top at about 5.30 p.m. on 19th July 1916. Wallis was aged about 17, fair and about 5' 10".'

'Identity disc received from Germany and despatched to N/K. 20.6.17.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal