Name
Alton Henry Willats
21 December 1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/09/1917
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
York and Lancaster Regiment
2/5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
FAVREUIL BRITISH CEMETERY
I.D.30
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Stained Glass Window, Hitchin Boys Grammar School, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin, St Jude On The Hill Church - WW1 Hampstead Garden, Greater London
Pre War
Alton was born on 21 December 1889 in North London and baptised on 20 April 1890 in . St. Mark’s Church, Noel Park: Lymington Avenue, Wood Green, Haringey. His parents were Francis Montague Allen and Margaret Jane Willats (née McLennan) who married on 6 July 1881 in St John the Evangelist Church, Finsbury Park: Gloucester Drive, Hackney, London.
In 1891 the family were living at 27 Lordship Lane, Tottenham, Middlesex. Present were both parents: Francis (33) and Maragret (34), with Francis working as an inspector of Insurance agents. Their children were: Margaret E (9), Frances J (7), Allen M (5) and Alton Henry (1). A domestic servant, Ester Bailey (21).
He attended the Hitchin Grammar School from 1899-1906 and whilst at the school "gained the affection of his fellows, was a keen sportsman, enthusiastic and eager with a genial personality and was the perfect gentleman".
By 1901 the family were living at 17 Verulam Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with Francis working as an assurance agent. All their children above were present except Frances, and they had been joined by Horace Lennan (6). They now had two domestic servants Lydia Smith (21) and Gertrude Saunders (21).
By 1911 the family were living at Glenlyn, Wymondley Rd, Hitchin. Present were both parents, Francis still an assurance agent. Of the children only Alton and Florence remained at home, Alton was 21 and working as a builder’s assistant. They still had two domestic servants, Florence Wilshire (15) and Ellen Clifton (35), and at the time of the census two visitors were also there and William Dorch (23) and Georgina Dorch (24).
Before the war he was article to Messrs. Willmott, builders of Hitchin but had left the district. A month before the war commenced he went to Africa to take up a Government appointment with the Uganda Railways. He returned almost immediately and applied for a commission in the army.
He was active in St Jude’s Church and in 1913 was in the cast of their play: “Still Waters Run Deep” performed at the King Edward Hall, Finchley.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in the University and Public Schools Corps in September 1914 gaining his commission in February 1915, arrived in France on the 27th August 1915 and was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1916 and then to Captain – probably after December 1916. He was seriously wounded in 1916 whilst on patrol duty in France.
His younger brother Horace Lennan died in a training accident in December 1916 when a faulty grenade exploded prematurely. Alton must have been in the vicinity because he was called to identify his body.
According to the School Chronicle, he was in the 8th Battalion which may have been true as some stage , however he was with the 2/5th Battalion of the Regiment when he was killed.
The Hertfordshire Express reported: “Captain Willats had come back from the front line, and was standing talking to brother officers, when a shell burst near and killed him instantly, a piece of shell piercing the heart, it is believed. He had expected to be home in ten days’ time on leave, and when the family received the wire they first believed it was to announce the time his arrival.”
He is remembered in Plot 1, Row D, Grave 30 in the Faveuil British Cemetery about 12 miles southeast of Arras in France.
Additional Information
After his death various sums were recorded, but it is not clear to who they were paid. The sums were £7 9s 10d and £10 (9/17), £142 17s 3d 13/11/1917), then to C P Base £2 11s 4d (9/17), £1 13s 10d (10/17) and £1 17s 6d (10/17).
Probate was obtained by his father on 24 April 1918, with the value of his effects £366 14s 5d.
F M Willats Esq. applied for his medal on 18 November 1919, when he was living at Wymondley, Heath Gate, Hendon, London, NW4 – the same date that he applied for Horace Lennan’s medals.
His brother Horace Leonard was killed in 1916.
His surname is spelt ‘Willatts’ in the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
