Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Herbert Lawrence Wills was born at Middlestone, near Spennymoor, County Durham in 1882 the 4th born of 5 sons. His father John Wills native of Woodlands, Bishop Auckland born 1853 was married in 1875 to Mary Ellen Marr born 1860 at Cockfield near Bishop Auckland. John Wills was employed as a coal miner and lived in 1881 with his wife and 2 sons at 31, William Street, Middlestone, ten years later they had moved to the village of Merrington, now employed as a colliery boiler attender his eldest son John William was employed as a coal miner, George (12), Herbert (10) and Harrison were scholars whilst James (4) remained at home with his mother.
John Wills died in 1910, aged 56 years, by which time all his sons with the exception of Herbert were married. It would appear that also Mary Ellen had passed away by 1915.
Herbert was a lodger at 14, South Street, Stillington, however on the outbreak of war he enlisted at Spennymoor and was firstly assigned as Private 7878 to the Durham Light Infantry, later transferred as Private 22681 King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2nd Battalion. As he was already at the front in 1915 he must have had previous experience n the military, possibly as a Territorial.
The main body of the 2nd Battalion K.O.Y.L.I. were in Dublin with the 13th Brigade, 5th Division when war was declared in August 1914 and were immediately sent to France landing at Le Havre, August 16th 1914, where they saw action during the Battle of Mons. This was closely followed by the Battle of Le Cateau, Le Marne, the Aisne, La Bassee and Messines and the 1st Battle of Ypres.
During 1915 they participated during the capture of Hill 60, April 17th-22nd and the 2nd Battle of Ypres, April 22nd-May 25th. Private 22681 Herbert Lawrence Wills King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was killed in action during day to day trench warfare June 12th 1915 and interred at Voormezeele Enclosure No.3, West Vlaanderen, near Ypres in Belgium, grave VII. B. 2. He was 33 years old and single.
All monies due to him from the Army was divided in equal parts between his brothers, John William, George Muschamp, Harrison Marr and James Blackett Wills, each received 1 pound 5 shillings and 1 penny. Recipient of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Herbert Lawrence Wills is remembered at Stillington on S137.01 and S137.02
