The AIF Project

William Keith WILLIS

Regimental number2695
Place of birthRandwick, New South Wales
SchoolSydney Grammar School, New South Wales
Other trainingJournalism
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationJournalist
AddressHorleck, Division Street, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinMother, Mrs A. Willis, Horleck, Division Street, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date9 June 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name4th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/21/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A54 Runic on 9 August 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour CircularHe showed aptitude as a descriptive writer. Was a good footballer & speedy runner and an excellent amateur boxer,. (details from father, Tom Willis [1857-1923; journalist, authority on horses; wrote for the 'Syney Morning Herald' for 26 years iunder the pseudonym 'Milroy'. See obituary, SMH, 30 July 1923, p. 8)
FateDied of wounds 21 April 1918
Place of death or woundingMerris, France
Age at death24.7
Age at death from cemetery records24
Place of burialEbblinghem Military Cemetery (Plot II, Row A, Grave No. 20), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
42
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Thomas Francis and Amy Florence WILLIS
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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