Name
James Cadenhead Wills
15/06/1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/01/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9209
Scots Guards
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 3 and 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Bloxbourne, Essex
Pre War
James Cadenhead WILLS was born on 15th June 1895,
in Nazeing, Essex, his birth was registered in Epping, Essex, (his service
record and SDITGW record his place of birth as Broxbourne, Essex?). Son of
Ernest Jerrard Wills a Book Publisher and later a Farmer and Helen J. Wills
(nee Cadenhead). One of four children.
1901 Census records James aged 5, living with his parents,
brothers Walter (7), Herbert (3) and sister Dorothy (4) at Moreton Park,
Moreton, Essex. The family had three live-in Domestic Servants, a Governess,
Cook and Housemaid.
1911 Census records James (15), as a Farm Pupil, living with
his uncle and aunt Albert and Agnes Rudge, (Farmers), at Upper Baysham,
Sellack, Nr Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. His father and brother Herbert (14) were
still living at Moreton Park, Moreton, Essex, His father is now recorded as a
Farmer. They have a live-in Domestic Housekeeper. His mother and brother Walter
(17) were visiting his uncle and aunt William and Elizabeth Wills and their
family (Farmers) at Old Erringham Farm, Old Shoreham, Sussex.
His father Ernest Jerrard Wills died on 3rd
November 1916, in Canterbury, Kent.
Wartime Service
James enlisted at Stratford, Essex, for 3 years with the
colours on 13th August 1914, (possible with his younger brother
Herbert) aged 20, he gave his occupation as a Fitter. He was posted to the
3rd Battalion, Scots Guards and issued with the service number 9209.
On completion of his training, he was transferred to the 1st
Battalion on the 11th November 1914, embarking at Southampton for
France arriving on the 12th November 1914. He was Killed in Action
just 52 days later, on 2nd January 1915. He has no known grave; he
is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial to the missing in France. Panel 4.
Additional Information
His effects of £6-14s-03d, pay owing went to his father
Ernest and his war gratuity of £3, went to his mother Helen.
His service record is available on-line at Ancestry UK www.ancestry.co.uk and Find My Past UK www.findmypast.co.uk
His younger brother Private/Guardsman 9182 Herbert Graham
Wills also of the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, was Killed in Action on 25th
January 1915, he has no known grave and is also commemorated on the Le Touret
Memorial to the missing in France. Panel 4.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
