Name
George Roland (poss R G) Willis
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/01/1919
36
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
522862
Royal Engineers
Miscellaneous Details
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Mentioned in Despatches
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BEIRUT WAR CEMETERY
247
Lebanon
Headstone Inscription
UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY R.I.P.
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial,
Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden
Pre War
George Roland was born in Harpenden in 1883, baptised on 6 May 1883. His father was John James Willis, an agricultural laboratory assistant, and mother Jane Rebecca (nee Archer). On the 1891 census the family were living Hecla Villa, Carlton Road, Harpenden.
By 1901 the family were still living at Carlton Road but George is recorded in Hospital in Paddington, London and his occupation as draper’s assistant. George married Alice Hone on 28 August 1904 in Maidenhead. On the 1911 Census George was working as a Fruiter’s assistant and living with Alice at Newcombe Street, Harpenden.
Wartime Service
George attested on 8 Dec 1915 at Watford and after training was mobilised as Sapper 3757 Royal Engineers Transport on 22 May 1916.
George departed Southampton for Egypt on 24 Jul 1917 having been transferred as Sapper 522862 to work in 21 Corps as a clerk under the Chief Engineer.
He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 5 Oct 1917. 21 Corps served in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. George contracted Pneumonia and died on 27 Jan 1919 and is buried in Beirut War Cemetery, Lebanon.
Additional Information
Listed as RG on memorials.
His widow, Mrs, A. Willis, The Laurels, St. Luke's Rd., Maidenhead, Berks., ordered his headstone inscription: “UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY R.I.P.”.
War gratuity of £18 and arrears of £6 10s 3d paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
