James's Story.
C.W.G.C. remember a James Willis of the 13th Bn. Cheshire Reg’t., Service No W/184 at Port Sunlight (Christ Church) Congregational Chapelyard, U.K., (619). Died 23rd August 1918. Husband of E. Willis, of 59 Corniche Rd., Port Sunlight.
Cheshirebmd records the birth of a James Willis in 1877, Weaverham. Cheshirebmd records the marriage of a James Willis/Elizabeth Jeffs in 1903 at St. Paul’s Helsby. The 1901 census has James at home with his family, living on Park St., Northwich, head of the family was Mother Julia, a widow; James aged 23, Flatman (barge), born Kelsall; with two sisters Annie and Ethel, brother William aged 10.
The Cheshire Regiment Soldiers of the Great War 1914-19 book does not record a James Willis with the 13th Bn., (There is an Arthur Willis with the 9th Bn., Service No 18078, born Tarvin.)
N.A.M.C. have a medal card for a James Willis, Pte., with the Cheshire Reg’t. No W/184. Awarded the 15 Star, British and Victory medals, T.o.W. (1) France, D.o.E. 25/9/15. The card records he was awarded a S.W.B. (Silver War Badge) and that he was Disc. (Discharged) 21-11-17. The Roll of Individuals entitled to the War Badge, Cheshire Regiment includes James Willis, W/184, 3rd Battn., No 27,485, enlisted 3/9/14, discharged 31/1/17, Cause of Discharge is recorded as Sickness and that he had served overseas, as per the medal card.
Cheshirebmd records the death of a James Willis aged 41 in 1918 in Rural Chester, which in effect confirms he had been discharged from the Army and would not be listed in the Cheshire Regiment Book. (Noting that all soldiers killed in WW1 are not listed with Birth Marriage and Deaths.)
Some service documents are available for James, his Attestation Form completed on the 3rd Sept. 1914, records he lived at Corniche Road, Port Sunlight, that he was a Bargeman, he had had previous service and he was now aged 34. James stood 5ft 8in, weight 158 lbs, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair and he was declared fit. Documentation records James was admitted to Chester County Asylum early 1917 and that he would never be fit to earn his living. He was discharged into the custody of his friends on the 20th March 1917. The final note on James’s well being, on the Service Documents was “permanent, will get worse.” (It is understood that James suffered from shell shock.)
Research Bob H.