William Wills

Story:
William Wills was born on 8 Jun 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 his parents were living at White Bridge, Semley, Wiltshire, whist William was employed as a live in servant for Gertrude Fisher, Dowager Countess of Moray, at Westfield House, Wimborne, Dorset. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 10639). He served in the Balkans from 11 Jul 1915 and later on in France & Flanders. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He died of wounds sustained in action at the Station Hospital 13, Boulogne, 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, Semley, Wiltshire.