Willis, William Organ (OW1890)

William Organ Willis was born on 1st August 1877, to parents William Samuel and Alice Holland Willis of Malvern.

He commenced at Wesley College in 1890, leaving in 1896.

While at the College he was very involved in sports, particularly football and athletics, where he won several College medals. He was described as “hard working, always well trained” by the Football Captain.

He maintained an active connection with the Old Collegians. His pride in the School is reflected in a letter written in 1907 to the editor of the College magazine, being incensed at the sight of a hard-won sports medal being used as a hat pin by someone’s sweetheart!

After leaving school he worked as a jackaroo for a time before joining the army in 1900 to fight in the South African War. While there he was wounded, but recovered to return to the fight within a few months. He fought bravely and received the Queen’s medal with three clasps. 

When he returned to Australia he joined the Australian Light Horse at Beechworth, Victoria. Later on he was appointed Adjutant of the 6th AIR.

In 1908 he made the rank of 1st Lieutenant, and Captain two years later, joining the permanent forces in 1911. Clearly he was a very capable soldier, and a clever tactician, being promoted again to Brigade Major of the 1st Military District with its headquarters in Rockhampton. He spent the next three years in Queensland. Those who served with him in Rockhampton and Townsville remembered him fondly in a moving obituary.

At the age of 36 he married Mabel Mary Hodgson from Armadale. Theirs was to be a brief marriage, as he volunteered for active duty when war broke out, although very few of the permanent officers were allowed to serve. However he has granted permission towards the end of 1914 being posted as Adjutant to the 15th Battalion.

His travels to the Front through Port Said and Alexandria are recorded through the postcards sent home to his new wife. His final postcard, heavily censored, was dated just 2 days before his death on 3rd May 1915. It promised a letter to follow. Sadly the letters she would receive were condolences, describing how highly he was thought of, and the way in which he died.

He was 37 years old when a sniper’s bullet to the base of his neck killed him almost instantly at Pope’s Hill, Gallipoli.