Ref ID: 3212
Name
Thomas Willis.
Description
Belfast Telegraph Newspaper Photograph of Acting Company Sergeant Major Thomas Bell Willis.
Life Story
Name: Thomas Bell Willis.
Service Number: 6220.
Rank: Company Sergeant Major.
Battalion: 2nd Battalion.
Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.
Born: 29th September 1896, Belfast, County Antrim.
Died: 5th October 1918.
Address: 15 Warkworth Street, Shankill Road, Belfast
.
Thomas Bell Willis, son of Robert and Elizabeth Willis, lived at 15 Warkworth Street, Shankill Road, Belfast.
The 1901 Ireland Census has Thomas living at 38 Wigton Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his mother, father, occupation, Engine Fitter at Works, two sisters, Margretta, 6 years, Elizabeth, 1 year, and brother Robert, 9 years. A Jane Magee, 26 years, also lived in the house, her occupation is given as Seamstress.
The 1911 Ireland Census has Thomas living at 22 Tyne Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his mother, House Wife, father, Foundry Engine Fitter, three sisters, Margretta Bell, Machinist, Elizabeth, 11 years, Jane, 9 years, and brother Robert, Factory Mechanic. Jane Magee, Upholstress, also lives there and is described as a Relative. Thomas occupation at this time is given as Office Boy.
Thomas joined the 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, before being attached to 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 5th of October 1915.
Thomas Bell Willis was Acting Company Sergeant Major in 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action on the 5th of October 1918 aged 22 years.
A local newspaper states.
WARRANT OFFICIER KILLED.
Official notification has been received of the death in action of Acting Co Sergt - Major Thomas Willis, R.I.R. (late Y.C.V), who was killed on the night of 4th-5th October 1918. Deceased, who resided with his sisters and aunt at 15 Warkworth Street, Belfast, enlisted on the 11th of May 1915. He was due home on leave when he was killed. Previous to enlistment deceased worked in Messrs Combe Barbour's as an apprentice iron-turner.
Thomas Soldiers Effects were left to his brother Robert and sisters Margretta, Elizabeth and Jane.
A Pension Application Form shows Jane Magee, described as cousin, as claimant.
A Dependant Pension Application Form shows Jane Magee, described as Aunt, as claimant.
Thomas received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star.
He is Remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
To Remember Is To Honour
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Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
0
Classification
Photograph,
Photograph,
Photograph
