A small group of items, including field message books and photographs, relating to the First World War service of Charles Willis
307 Private Charles Henry Willis enlisted on 8 January 1915; he survived the war, with the rank of lieutenant. He was awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry at Broodseidne on 4 October 1917; a colour photocopy of the citation comes with this lot. Other items include two Field Message Books ('Army Book 153'), approximately 100 leaves each, substantially filled with detailed notes taken on training courses. Some pages cover duties while on active service; alas, he devotes a mere 50 words to the time he was 'Attacked at Ypres on the 4th Oct 1917 - wounded same morning came away on the 6th Oct on the Hospital train ...'. Also included are 22 photographs (mainly postcard-format, nearly all of military interest, only two of them commercially produced); Willis features in a number of them, and several have messages on them to his mother. One of them is dated 'Aug 27.8.15 Egypt. To Dear Mother From Charlie just before leaving for the Front'. Another one, a portrait in uniform taken by Darge in Melbourne before Willis embarked on 8 May 1915, depicts the archetype of the bronzed Anzac ... The collection is rounded out with two 'Soldier's Pay book for use on Active Service'; the statement of account 'for A.I.F. Pay and Allowances' for his entire war service; and six 21st Battalion Association annual membership badges dated from 1963 to 1974 (Charles Willis died in October 1982, at the age of 88).
Item #143304
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