Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Corporal R. H. Wills, Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry, later Border Regiment and Labour Corps, who had his right eye removed in consequence of a shrapnel injury received at the Battle of Passchendaele, 12 October 1917

1914-15 Star (2372 Pte. R. H. Wills, West. & Cumb. Y.); British War and Victory Medals (2372 Cpl. R. H. Wills. West. & Cumb. Y.) nearly extremely fine (3) £120-£160

Robert Hayton Wills was born at Kirk Bampton, near Wigton, Cumberland, on 29 January 1893. Attesting at Penrith on 18 September 1914, Wills initially served as a Private with “C” Squadron of the 1/1st Westmoreland and Cumberland Territorial Force. Sent to France on 27 July 1915, he was advanced Corporal on 5 February 1916 and transferred to infantry via the newly created 7th Battalion (Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry), Border Regiment, under Army Order 204/16, retaining cavalry rate of pay.

On 10 October 1917, the Battalion left their dugouts at Canal Bank and marched across duck boards to Pilckem. The War Diary notes a major attack at 05.25 hrs on 12 October 1917, with Wills and his comrades encouraged to advance ‘as close to the barrage as possible.’ Advancing at a pace, the move proved fruitful with the men establishing positions to the north-east of Senegal Farm and taking over 130 German prisoners, but for Wills, it largely facilitated the end of his campaign and the removal to No. 24 General Hospital near Etaples for the removal of an eye. Returned to service briefly with the Labour Corps, he was discharged to pension on 21 February 1919 and awarded a 50% disability allowance. The 1939 Register records him in Workington as a furniceman steel worker, and also a special constable and member of the A.R.P. service.