Name
Alton Henry Willats
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
Pre War
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".
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.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in the University and Public Schools Corps in September 1914 gaining his commission in February 1915 and arrived in France on the 27th August 1915. He was seriously wounded in 1916 whilst on patrol duty in France.
According to the School Chronicle, he was in the 8th Battalion and killed whilst on duty in the front line trenches. More probable is the account in ‘Officers died’ that he was in the 2/5th Battalion of the Regiment.
He is remembered in Plot 1, Row D, Grave 30 in the Faveuil British Cemetery about 12 miles south east of Arras in France.
Additional Information
His surname is spelt ‘Willatts’ in the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
