Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Charles Arthur Willetts was born on 4 November 1895 at Oamaru, the third son of Jessie Young (née Henderson) and John Morris (known as Morris) Willetts. Charles was admitted to Chamberlain School in South Canterbury from Awamoko School in North Otago, where he had started in February 1904, in early 1905, Morris William (Bill) having transferred there in April 1904 when James Francis and Stanley started school there. In August 1906 all four boys moved to Albury School and went from there to Fairlie in February 1907, being joined at Fairlie by younger sisters. Between 1911 and 1914, Mr and Mrs Willetts moved to Owen Creek in the Buller district. Mrs Willetts died on 13 September 1916 at her mother’s residence at Awamoko and was buried in the Georgetown Cemetery.

Charles appears to have remained at South Canterbury. On 14 December 1914 he competed in the first of the season’s youth road races, a ten-mile course starting and finishing at Maori Hill. He was working as a labourer at Fairlie when he registered at the Timaru Defence Office on 14 June 1916 and enlisted at Trentham on 23 August 1916. He served with the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment. Single and Presbyterian, he named his father as next-of-kin – J. M. Willetts, Owen Junction, Nelson. C. A. Willetts and M. W. Willetts were among the number for the 20th Reinforcements who were given an enthusiastic send-off at the Nelson port on 22 August. The local M.P. “trusted the men would have a good time at Trentham, good health, and a safe voyage to the front, and he wished them good-bye and God speed.”

Riflemen C. A. Willetts and M. W. Wiletts embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, departing for Plymouth, England, per the “Athenic” on 30 December 1916. Charles who was seriously wounded at Passchendaele in October 1917, was back in France in mid-1918 when his brother Morris William Willetts was awarded the Military Medal. Private Willetts embarked on 8 January 1919 at Tilbury for the return to New Zealand per the “Matatua” (Draft 213), which was due in February. He was discharged on 11 April 1919, being no longer physically fit for War Service on account of wounds received in Active Service.

Privates C. Willetts and W. Willetts were both among five returned men who were met by a considerable number of people at the Fairlie railway station and accorded a very hearty welcome as the Fairlie Band played a number of patriotic airs, in early May. There had been only an hour’s warning of their arrival and little time to prepare, but the men were invited to a social in their honour the following week. “Last week [May 1919] was a very busy one among the soldiers. A big social was held in the Public Hall [at Fairlie] on Thursday evening in honour of Privates . . . . . , C. Willetts, W. Willetts (M.M.), . . . . . , Troopers . . . . . . Several of the men could not be present owing to hospital duty, but it is hoped that they will attend at some future occasion. As usual the hall was bright with patriotic colours, and the floor was in good condition. . . . . . A bountiful supper was provided . . . . . During an interval the soldiers were paraded on the stage, and they received a vociferous volley of cheering. Mr C. J. Talbot, M.P., on behalf of the Reception Committee and the people of the district, gave them a very hearty welcome, and wished them prosperity in the future. . . . . . At the conclusion of the address the men were accorded musical honours and more cheers were given them. Dancing was continued till after midnight, and the men took the opportunity of renewing old friendships and making new acquaintances.” [Timaru Herald. 14 May 1919.]

Sadly, Charles enjoyed only a few months at home, engaged in bush-felling for three or four months. While he and his brothers were bush-felling at Owen Junction on 1 October 1919, a tree fell on him, causing internal injuries. He died in the Nelson Hospital in the evening. Just 23 years old, Charles was buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson – “In loving memory of Charles Arthur Willetts 31002 N.Z.E.F. died Oct. 1. 1919, aged 25 years.” “The young man, who was well and favourably known in the Murchison district, had only recently returned from France, where he served for two and a half years.” At the inquest held on 3 October, one who served with Charles Willetts in France recalled that “two years ago today, at 4 o’clock in the morning, they faced together the fearful ordeal of Passchendaele, where so many New Zealanders fell. Willetts, whom he describes as a most estimable comrade and a grand fighter, received two wounds on that occasion, and afterwards spent seven months in hospital in England.” At a general meeting of the Nelson Returned Soldiers’ Association in mid- October 1919, a vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Mr C. A. Willetts who had been a member of the Association.

His medals – British War Medal and Victory Medal – were sent to his father, J. M. Willetts, Owen Junction, Nelson. John Morris Willetts died on 24 June 1942 at Nelson Hospital, having suffered neck injuries and shock when he was hit by a car the day before. He was buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery with his son Charles. Morris William Willetts (Bill), an older brother of Charles, served in World War One, embarking with Charles, and James Francis Willetts, a younger brother, also served, as did three cousins – Albert John Morse Willetts (Bert), Arthur Henry Willetts and Edwin Percy Willetts. Charles’ oldest brother, John Henderson Willetts, was an engine driver at Fairlie when his name was drawn in the Ninth Ballott in July 1917. Later in the month his appeal was dismissed, and he was passed as fit only for Home Service. Stanley Willetts, their next eligible brother who was a farmer at Owen Junction, was called up in October 1918.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [21 December 2022]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [21 December 2022]; School Admission records (South Canterbury & Oamaru branches NZSG) [21 December 2022]; Wakapuaka Cemetery headstone transcription (South Canterbury Branch NZSG cemetery records) [21 December 2022]; Wakapuaka Cemetery burial records (Nelson City Council) [29 December 2022]; Timaru Herald, 14 December 1914, 15 June 1916, 4 & 31 July 1917, 6 & 14 May 1919, 6 October 1919, Nelson Evening Mail, 16 & 22 August 1916, 16 October 1918, 2 & 14 October 1919, 23 & 24 June 1942, 7 July 1942, Oamaru Mail, 13 & 14 September 1916, 30 July 1918, 2 October 1919, NZ Times, 11 July 1918, Colonist, 14 February 1919, 15 October 1919, Otago Daily Times, 8 March 1919, 9 July 1942, Dominion, 8 March 1919, Press, 16 October 1918, 2 October 1919 (Papers Past) [04, 20, 21, 22, 29 & 30 December 2022]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• WILLETTS Charles Arthur - newspaper clippings (pdf, 94.5 KB updated 13-Jan-2023)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.