William Wills

Story:
William Wills was born in 1890 in Stratton, Dorset and baptised at Winterbourne Monkton, Dorset, on 19th October, 1890. He was the son of Alfred John Wills, a Dairyman, and Laura Wills (nee Gollop). His siblings included Alfred Edward, born in 1891, who also died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single and living at White Bridge, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10639). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 1st October 1916 and was buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. VIII.C.163). He is remembered on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St Leonard's Church, and on the War Memorial in St. Leonard's Churchyard.