Born Hull, 1889. Third Son of Coates William Willis (1851-1916) and Sarah Maynard (1860-1945). He had three brother and two sisters. His parents were born in Bradford and they returned there.
Work as a restaurant waiter (1901 Census) and a billiard marker for eight years. Described as 5 foot, 6.5 inches tall, 126 lbs weight, 36-38 inch chest, Hazel eyes, light brown hair, Church of England religion.
he enlisted at Dublin, on 20/09/1913. Posted to France, on 24/11/1914. Served as lance Corporal, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), 10th Bn. Appointed Lance Corporal, on 23/03/1917. Discharged as 100% unfit, on 14/05/1918. He had served in the army for 4 years and 237 days. Died at Menston Mental Asylum, Leeds, of paralysis, on 11/08/1918, aged 29. Buried at BRADFORD (SCHOLEMOOR) CEMETERY, United Kingdom.
He married Jane Rose Jennie) Irving, in Bradford, on 14/09/1915. They had two daughter, Maria, born on 10/12/1910, and Florence Irving, born on 14/01/1912. She moved to 17 Rose Street, Lochfield, Dumfries, Dumfries-shire, Scotland after her husband’s death.
His brother Corporal, Coates Henry Willis, 7841, 2nd Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, was killed at the Somme, on 1st July 1916, aged 29. he was born in Glasgow and lived in Manningham.
