C. R. Willis

Sergeant, London Regiment (Artist Rifles)

C. R. Willis was a student at Alleyn's until 1911 and joined the war effort as part of the London Regiment (Artist Rifles), serving as a Sergeant. In 1915, Willis wrote home about the conflict, describing himself as 'completely fed up' with the war. The letter was later published by the Edward Alleyn Magazine and can be read in full here. Willis continued to serve throughout the war and in 1916, he was twice Mentioned in Despatches for his service and bravery in the field. This achievement was followed by a commission with the Royal Field Artillery, and by the end of the war, Willis was serving with the rank of Captain and had also earned a Military Cross.

In a 1960 edition of the Edward Alleyn Magazine it was reported that C.R Willis had also served in the Far East and commanded the 36th Indian Mountain Battery in his rank as Major. 

After WW1, and since 1940, he worked for twenty years as Secretary to the Scottish Committee of Lloyd's Register of Shipping.