WILLIS, Hampton

WILLIS, Hampton – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 1276
RANK : Private
UNIT : 33rd Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 12/01/1916
AGE : 24
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Armidale, New South Wales
PLACE OF BIRTH : Guyra, New South Wales
RELIGION : Presbyterian
OCCUPATION : Grazier
DATE OF DEATH : 7/06/1917
PLACE OF BURIAL : Steenwerch, France

MEMORIALS : Dalveen WWI Honour Boards, Guyra District Great War Honour Roll, Guyra United Grand Lodge No 325 Great War Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour

View Veteran’s Service File : WILLIS, Hampton

NOTES :

Hampton was born on the Eastern Plains of Guyra in New South Wales and he was the son of William and Elizabeth Willis. The life of a grazier suited Hampton and on occasion he would visit his brother William Charles Willis who lived at Strathgrave, Dalveen. It was while he was visiting his brother at Dalveen that he made the life changing decision to offer his services during the First World War.

Returning home to Guyra to say his goodbyes to family and friends, he travelled to Armidale and enlisted on January 12, 1916. Assigned to the 33rd Battalion he proveeded overseas to France.

Residents of the Dalveen community grieved when word of his death was received. The Darling Downs Gazette reported in the newspaper dated June 27, 1917.

Word has been received that Private Willis, who enlisted from Dalveen, had died on June 7th from the effects of gunshot wounds received in action in France. On receipt of the news the Rev. A. Barnard, of Stanthorpe, left for Dalveen to break the sad news to the deceased soldier’s brother, but on arrival there he was informed that Mr. Willis had left for Guyre, N.S.W., to which centre the sad news was forwarded.

Hampton is remembered and honoured on the Dalveen Honour Board.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.