War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 9 November 1915; disembarked Suez 11 December 1915.

Detached from 30th Bn, Ferry Post, to attend the School of Instruction, Zeitoun, 1 April 1916; rejoined 30th Bn, 23 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 20 July 1916.

Now, 28 December 1916, to be reported wounded and missing in action, 20 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 23 July 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 20 July 1916'.

Statement, Red Cross File No 2970501, 1547 Pte T. EDWARDS, 30th Bn (patient, Mont Dore Hospital, Bournemouth, England), 6 February 1917: 'Willis was our platoon sergt. He was wounded in the advance on July 30th (sic). We took the 3rd line of German trenches but had to retire as the division that was to advance on our left never got the order. I did not see Willis myself, but three days after we retired volunteers were called for to bring in the wounded. They told me that they brought in Sergt. Willis with both his feet shattered ... It was a matter of general knowledge that Willis was broght in ... I heard afterwards that he could not be traced in England. I can only suppose that he died on the way home. He had lain out in No Man's Land for three days and three nights badly wounded so he must have been very far gone.'

Second statement, 1015 Pte C.H. HOSKINS, 30th Bn, 13 March 1917: 'Witness says soldier was badly wounded on July 20th '16. He helped to carry soldier back to our own trenches, but does not know what happened to him afterwards. This happened at Fleurbaix.'