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Private George Willan

Description

TitlePrivate George WillanSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionGeorge was born at Lowther Village, Cumbria, England on 19 February 1896, eldest son of John James and Annie Willan. He came from England with his parents in 1909 and received the latter part of his education in the Tai Tapu School. After leaving there was engaged in farming pursuits as a ploughman for Rev Rainey at Tai Tapu. He had previous military experience with K Company, the Coastal Defense unit set up soon after war broke out and invading German ships were feared. He was 5ft 9¼in with a fresh complexion brown eyes and brown hair. He appears to have had a farm accident for the examining doctor noted that the end phalanges on the thumb and first finger of his left hand were missing but his grip was quite good. So he was passed as fit.

George enlisted at Trentham on 28 June 1916 and was assigned to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 9th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion, G Company. He embarked with them for England on 16 October 1916 on board the Willochra. He landed in England and went on to Sling camp on 29 December 1916. He was posted to the 4th Infantry Brigade at Codford on 21 May 1917 where he lost two day's pay and was confined for 48 hours as punishment for being was absent with-out leave overnight on 18-19 May 1917 whilst in camp at Sling. At Codford on 23rd May he joined 3rd Battalion Auckland Infantry and was posted to 16th Company. His obituary notes that he had undergone special training and had been successful in qualifying for his signaller’s badge. After serving his time for being awol he left for France on 28th May. Surviving all the fighting at Ypres he was eventually killed in action by mischance on 28th December 1917, aged 21. Two written reports survive in his records and describe how he was in the Becelaere sector when a shell landed in the doorway of his dugout. The troops nearby dug the men out but he was dead and they buried him near the Crucifix. He concluded by calling George a first rate fellow. After the war his body was retrieved by CWGC and he was reburied in Tyne Cot Cemetery grave XXXVIII. H. 16/21.In New Zealand George is remembered on the Tai Tapu War Memorial.

First NameGeorgeLast NameWillanFamilySingleEldest son of John James and Annie WillanDate of Birth19 February 1896Place of BirthLowther Village, WestmorelandDate of Death28 December 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death21

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Connections

CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageTai Tapu War MemorialGeorge Willan's Grave Stone at Tyne Cot, BelgiumMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryTai Tapu War MemorialTyne Cot CemeteryOccupation before EnlistingPloughman Regiment or ServiceNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeEnlistment Details28th June 1916 at Trentham Service Number29116Embarkation16th October 1916TransportWillochraReinforcement9th ReinforcementsNominal Roll43/32CountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private George Willan