William Oscar WILLS

Regimental number8/806
Date of birth17 August 1894
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationMachinist
Address36 Nelson Street, South Dunedin
Marital statusSingle
Next of kinMartin Wills, Caversham, Dunedin
Enlistment date28 August 1914
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Otago Infantry Battalion
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on 16 October 1914
Members of the Otago Infantry Battalion, Main Body, left Wellington on 16 October 1914 on two ships, HMNZT 9 'Hawke's Bay' and HMNZT 5 'Ruapehu'. From the Nominal Roll it is not possible to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rankLance Corporal
Final unit2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment
Discharge date27 February 1917
Family/military connectionsBrother: 8/1361 Pte Clarence Newton WILLS, Otago Infantry Bn, killed in action, 1-23 May 1915.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Commenced return to New Zealand from Southampton on board HS 'Maheno', 28 October 1916; discharged (no longer physically fit for War Service on account of wounds received in action: gun shot wound, back), 27 February 1917.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Main Body
Date of death9 January 1961 New Plymouth
Age at death66
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 22020349

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