Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Petty-Officer William" Edward Willis, of H.M.AS. Protector, whio was well known at Port Adelaide, died recently in the Fremantle Hospital as the result of an accident at sea while the warship was steaming between Albany and Fremantle. He was 45 years of age, and served 23 years in the naval reserve, for which he received the long-service medal. He was very popular with his shipmates, and was buried with naval honours in the soldiers section of the Church of England Cemetery, Fremantle.

The service was conducted by the naval chaplain (Rev. Canon B. H. Moore). Three volleys were fired and the "Last Post" was sounded. The funeral escort or firing party consisted of 26 bluejackets from HMAS Protector under Chief-Petty-Officer Davey. A band played the "Dead March," the mortuary carriage, bearing the casket, was shrouded with the Union Jack, and the pallbearers were selected from the deceased's shipmates.

The chief mourners were Mr- J. Willis (brother), Mr. and Mrs. B. Poole (cousins), Mr. and Mrs. E. Garavanta, Mr. and Mrs. Polkingborn, and Messrs. W. Sinclair and A. Owston.

Besides the ship's company, including all ranks and ratings, the A. Company of senior naval cadets was also in attendance. The parade was under the supervision of Warrant Officer J. A. Newton,

Officers present, were Commander P. ,Weir, (of Port Adelaide), of HMAS Protector, Lieutenant-Commander H. Barlee, R.A.N.R. (representing the Western Australian
district Naval Officer, Captain Dare, Staff-Surgeon D. E. Williams, B.A.N.R., and Engineer-Midshipman Stapleton. Mr. Franke Howe (secetajry of the Fremantle Lumpers' Union) represented the Port Adelaide Working Men's Association, of which deceased was a member, and Mr. T. McSbarer (secretary of the Fremantle Seamen's Union) represented the Federated Seamen's Union.

The late Mr. Willis was one of the crew of the Protector when that vessel went to China in connection with the Boxer rebellion, for which he received a medal. He was a member of the All-British League of Port Adelaide, and left a widow and two children, who reside at Largs Bay, two sisters (Mrs. G. Bloomfield and Mrs. T. Hayman, of Exeter), and two brothers (Messrs. Tom and jab- Willis, of Kanowna, Western Australia).

At the. conclusion of the burial service separate wreaths were placed on the grave by the officers, the chief petty officers, the engine room staff, the seamen, and the stokers of H.M.A1S. Protector. N.C.Os. and A. and I. staff, Largs Bay; A. and I staff, Fremantle; Navy Office, Fremantle; his two brothers, and his cousins (MT. and Mrs. Poole).