Henry Robert Willis

Story:
Henry Robert Willis was born in Holnest, Sherborne, Dorset, on 22 Jan 1888 and baptised there on 8 Apr 1888 the son of Joseph Willis and Mary Ann Willis.  He lived much of his early life in Holnest, Sherborne.   He married Lottie Ethel Annie Moon at St. Cuthbert's Church, Lytchett Maltravers, Well, Somerset, on 26 Apr 1911 and they went on to have three children.  He enlisted and, in time, joined the 220th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver (Service No. 212339).  He served in France and Flanders and, whilst there, suffered an injury which resulted in his forearm being amputated.  He was discharged on 13 Nov 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. B339024 as well as the Victory and British War Medals.  He also received a pension for life.  At the time of his discharge he was living at New Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  The 1921 Census then shows him living in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Postman.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 21 Coppice Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, still working as a Postman.  He died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 9 Mar 1940.