Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

James Francis Willetts was born on 17 June 1897 at Oamaru, the fourth son of Jessie Young (née Henderson) and John Morris (known as Morris) Willetts. James and his brother Stanley started at Chamberlain School in South Canterbury in April 1904, when their older brother Morris (Bill) transferred from Awamoko School in North Otago. Charles joined them in January 1905. 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. James F. Willetts gained his Proficiency in the Standard VI examinations in December 1911 while at Fairlie School. 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.

James Francis Willetts enlisted on 2 October 1917 at Murchison, his name having been drawn in a double ballot at the beginning of September. He was still serving with the Territorials. The local contingent who made up the West Coast quota for the Thirty-fifth Reinforcements – James Francis Willets of Murchison included – was farewelled from the Greymouth Town Hall on 17 October and left for camp the next day. The Acting Mayor wished them “every good luck and a safe return after participation in the final victory that pull freedom and justice on humanity’s side.” From the towns and from the cities, from the workshops arid the farms, from every rank and profession, from every creed and class the march of armed men had gone on in New Zealand for over three years, said the Rev. Father Quinn. Nearly 100,000 men had forsaken the mild pursuits of peace for the grim and stern realities of war – nearly one-tenth of New Zealand’s population had joined the colors. Many of these had been through the maelstrom of battle storm and shell. . . . . . They had established themselves good soldiers and noble men.

A farm hand, single and of Church of England affiliation, he named his father as next-of-kin – J. M. Willetts, Owen Junction, via Nelson. Private J. F. Willetts embarked with the 36th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington for Southampton, England, per the “Willochra” on 23 April 1918. He was, therefore, on active service in June 1918 when his brother Morris William (Bill) Willetts was awarded the Military Medal. Another brother, Charles Arthur Willetts, who was seriously wounded at Passchendaele in October 1917, was back in France by this time. After two years of service James embarked for the return to New Zealand on 23 June 1919 at Plymouth per the SS “Giesen”, which was due at Wellington on 16 August. He was discharged on 24 September 1919 and awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in Western Europe.

James settled initially at Owen Junction with his father, before joining the railways in the 1920s. He married Frances Jane Barnes in 1929 and they had at least two children – Iris Jessie and Barbara Ann. Thereafter, he filled various positions with the railways, which resulted in many moves. He was a railway tablet-porter when his name was drawn in the World War Two ballot in 1942. By 1949 he was a signalman at Marton and that is where James and Frances retired.

James Francis Willetts died on 29 June 1964 at Marton, aged 67 years, and was buried in the local cemetery, Frances with him in 1978.

Morris William Willetts (Bill) and Charles Arthur Willetts, older brothers of James, both also served in World War One, embarking together in 1916. Three cousins also served – Albert John Morse Willetts (Bert), Arthur Henry Willetts and Edwin Percy Willetts. James’ oldest brother, John Henderson Willetts, was an engine driver at Fairlie when his name was drawn in the Ninth Ballot 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 the last 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 Branch NZSG) [21 December 2022]; Marton Cemetery headstone transcription (South Canterbury Branch NZSG cemetery records) [21 December 2022]; Marton Cemetery headstone inscription & image & burial records (Rangitikei District Council) [29 December 2022]; Temuka Leader, 25 January 1912, Oamaru Mail, 13 & 14 September 1916, 30 July 1918, Marlborough Express, 3 September 1917, Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1917, Nelson Evening Mail, 16 October 1918, 23 & 24 June 1942, 7 July 1942, NZ Times, 11 July 1918, Otago Daily Times, 9 July 1942, Press, 16 October 1918 (Papers Past) [04, 20, 21, 22, 29 & 30 December 2022]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.