Trafford

Born during the September quarter 1891 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref:
8a/178, the youngest son of Edward Samuel & Sarah Laura Fanny Willing (nee
Burland).  The birth registered as William Jacob Willing - the only
reference to the name Jacob.   The census returns and his military records
list him simply as William Willing.  Probably born at Oakfield (a road, not
a house) as his parents were residing there in 1891 when his mother was
recorded as Laura F. Willing.

His mother – listed as Laura Fanny Willing, died in 1896, aged: 45.  
However, her birth was registered as Laura Elizabeth Burland 1851 –
Salford.  No mention of Sarah or Fanny.

1901 Census - Oakfield, Ashton upon Mersey.    Son - aged: 9 - born: Ashton
upon Mersey.    Head of household - Edward S. Willing - Widower - aged: 53
- occ: Manager in Shipping Business - born: Holland (Naturalised Subject). 
 Plus 6 siblings and 2 domestic servants.

1911 Census - "Mayfield", Park Road, Timperley.   Son - aged: 19 - occ:
Clerk in a Shipping Office - born: Ashton upon Mersey.    Head of household
- Edward S. Willing - Widower - aged: 63 - occ: Buyer and Shipper of Cotton
Goods - born: Manchester.   Plus 2 elder siblings and 2 domestic servants.

MIC - confirms that he served with the Manchester Regiment - Number 2122
and was posted to Gallipoli on the 5th May 1915.  Discharged from the Army
on the 10th March 1916.  Awarded the 15 Star, the B.W.M. & the V.M.

WO364 - Attested into the T.F. on the 4th August 1914.  He was recorded as
being born at Sale and aged 22 year 11 months.   Occupation - Shipping
Clerk, residing at "Mayfield", Park Road, Timperley.    He embarked for
Egypt at Southampton on the 10th September 1914.   From Alexandra on the
3rd May 1915 he sailed to the Dardanelles.

He sailed for Gallipoli on the S.S. Derflinger at 21.30 hrs on the 3rd May
1915.  Disembarked at Helles at 16.00 hrs on the 6th and moved to bivouacs
on the cliffs above "W" Beach.   Each man carried 200 rounds of ammunition
and two days supplies and iron rations, plus picks and shovels.   No
baggage, blankets or stores were allowed.   At 19.00 hrs on the 7th May,
they moved forward to positions west of Krithia Bridge.   At 20.30 hrs on
the 8th, they moved up the Krithia Road to support positions.   They
relieved the 4th Bn Worcestershire Rgt in the firing line in the Krithia
Nullah sector on the 11th.   They were relieved on the 21st and went into
the reserve lines.  On the 25th, they relieved the 1/5th Bn East Lancashire
Rgt in the firing line.   Together with the 1/5th Manchester Rgt, they
advanced the line between 50 and 200 yards.   On the 4th June 1915, they
took part in the Third Battle of Krithia, taking their first objective and
consolidating their position.

Wounded - G.S.W. (shrapnel) in right shoulder and right leg on the 4th July
1915 during the Battle of Krithia, Gallipoli.  He then had limited movement
of his shoulder and was left with a limp.   Medically examined on the 11th
January 1916 and declared unfit for future service.

His Army service comprised:-  Manchester: 4th August 1914 to the 9th
September 1914.  Egypt & Gallipoli: 10th September 1915 to 16th September
1915. Home (UK): 17th September 1915 to 10th March 1916.

4th October 1916 his address was recorded as the Bank of British West
Africa, Lagos.

On the 28th November 1917, he sailed 1st class from the Port of London on
the S.S. Burutu.   The ship's manifest lists him as William James Willing
whose occupation was stated as - Banking.  He was aged: 26 and disembarked
at Lagos, Nigeria.   This and his grave MI are the only references to the
middle name - James.

Zaria is in Zaria Province in the Northern Region of Nigeria, approximately
81 kilometres by road north of Kaduna. The European Cemetery is a small
walled cemetery close to the Baptist Mission, off Western Way and Circular
Road. Commonwealth war graves from both World Wars will be found in the
cemetery.   William was working in Nigeria in a private capacity after
having been discharged from the British Army 2 years earlier being no
longer fit for Army service.

HE IS NOT COMMEMORATED BY THE CWGC.