Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Morris William Willetts, known as William or Bill, was born on 13 May 1894 at Oamaru, the second son of Jessie Young (née Henderson) and John Morris (known as Morris) Willetts. Morris William was admitted to Chamberlain School in South Canterbury from Awamoko School in North Otago, where he had started in November 1900, in April 1904, when James Francis and Stanley started school there, and Charles transferring there 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. 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.

M. W. Willetts and C. A. 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.” He enlisted at Trentham on 23 August 1916. He had served with the Territorials, being discharged on account of being too far away. A farm labourer at Owen Junction, single and Presbyterian, he named his father as next-of-kin – J. M. Willetts, Owen Junction, Nelson.

Riflemen M. W. Willetts and C. A. Willetts embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, departing for Plymouth, England, per the “Athenic” on 30 December 1916. On 2 May 1918, Private M. W. Willetts was dangerously wounded. Less than two months later he was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry on the field of action. His brother Private C. A. Willetts was by this time back in France after being seriously wounded at the battle of Passchendaele, and another brother, Private J. F. Willetts, had left in April 1918 with the 36th Reinforcement. Lance Corporal M. W. Willetts (M.M.) returned to New Zealand per the “Maheno” (Draft 186), which was due to arrive in October 1918. He was discharged on 30 December 1918, being no longer physically fit for War Service on account of wounds received in Action. (France, 1918). He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The Military Medal was received from London on 11 March 1919.

Privates W. Willetts and C. 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.]

Bill Willetts settled back into farming at Owen Junction with his father, moving to Gowan Valley early in the 1920s. He married Annie Bagust in 1927 at Wellington. Bill and annie retired to Wakefield. He died on 4 October 1959 at Wellington, of Nelson, aged 65 years. He was buried at Marsden Valley Cemetery, where a services plaque marks his grave. Annie died in 1989 and was buried with him. They had at least two known children – Frederick Allan Willetts and William Morris Willetts.

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 Arthur Morris, who had embarked with Bill in 1916 and died just a few months after returning home as the result of an accident in October 1919. James Francis Willetts, a younger brother, also served, as did three cousins – Albert John Morse Willetts (Bert), Arthur Henry Willetts and Edwin Percy Willetts. Bill’s 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 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]; Marsden Valley Cemetery headstone images (Find A Grave); Marsden Valley Cemetery headstone transcription (South Canterbury Branch NZSG cemetery records) [21 December 2022]; Marsden Valley Cemetery burial records (Nelson City Council) [29 December 2022]; Timaru Herald, 4 & 31 July 1917, 6 & 14 May 1919, Nelson Evening Mail, 16 & 22 August 1916, 16 October 1918, 23 & 24 June 1942, 7 July 1942, Oamaru Mail, 13 & 14 September 1916, 30 July 1918, 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

• WILLETTS Morris William - newspaper clippings (pdf, 90.4 KB updated 13-Jan-2023)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.