Arthur John Wills

Story:
Arthur John Wills was born in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 16 Aug 1890 the son of John Wills and Louisa Wills (nee Kingsbury).  He lived most of his early life in and around Iwerne Minster.   He married Josephine Ellen Butcher at Tarrant Gunville, Dorset, on 25 Dec 1915 and they went on to have three children.   He enlisted on 6 Jun 1917 and was mobilized on 9 Sep 1917 joining the 30th Recruit Distribution Battalion of the Training Reserve as a Private (Service No. TR/8/27301).  He served in the UK only and on 25 Jul 1918 was transferred to the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 44917) and attached in turn to the 407th and 609th Agricultural Company's of the Labour Corps.  He was discharged on 22 Oct 1919.  There are no medal records available.  The 1921 Census shows him living at Upton, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, working as an Agricultural Engine Driver and by the 1939 Register he had moved to Tarrant Launceston, Blandford, Dorset, working as a Dairyman on a farm.  His death on 6 Jan 1969 was recorded at the Poole District Registry, Dorset, and he was later buried at Blandford St. Mary, Dorset.