William John Wills
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| William John Wills St. Paul’s, Sketty credit - findagrave |
Serjeant William John Wills served with the South Wales
Borderers, Brecknock Battalion. William
was 32 years old.
William was the son of William and Mahala Wills of Honiton,
Devon, and the husband of Edith Emma, of 3 Glanyrafon Cottage, Sketty.
So, using records, we can establish where William was living
at the time of the various Census, and where and when he got married.
William Wills married Mahala Golesworthy in June 1884, at
Honiton, Devon.
In the 1891 Census, the Wills family resided at 69 Bonds Cottage, Honiton, Devon.
Honiton is a market town, in East Devon, situated close to
the River Otter. The town’s history grew
along the Fosse Way, the ancient Roman road, linking Exeter to Lincoln. Honiton
is featured in the Domesday Book when it is referred to as Honetone.
Honiton became known for its lacemaking, which was
introduced during the Elizabethan period when Flemish immigrants arrived. During the 17th century, thousands
of people produced lace at their homes.
Buildings situated in Honiton all date from the Georgian
period, after two fires broke out during 1747 and 1767, and destroyed some
earlier properties. The parish church of
St. Michael’s was rebuilt in 1911, following a fire.
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| 1891 Census |
John Wills, in 1891, was 44 and he was employed Tailor. John was Deaf and Dumb and had been since childhood. Mahala was 28. Their children, William J., 5, and Flora R., 3, were attending school. The younger child is Percy J., aged 2 years. Also, present Mahala’s brothers William H., 23, who is Masons Labourer, and John., 21. John is an Imbecile which he had been from birth.
The following decade, the 1901 Census, records the Wills are
still residing in the same address, 69 Bonds Cottage, Honiton.
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| 1901 Census |
John, 55 is still employed as a Tailor. Mahala, 38. Their children are William J., 15, who is employed as a Saddler Apprentice. Percy J., 12; Arthur H., 9; Gertrude M., 6 and 2-year-old Marian M. Only Mehala’s brother, John, 30 is residing with the family.
In the next decade, William moved to South Wales, and in June
1907, he married Edith Emma Simons. The marriage
was at St. Gabriel church.
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| William John Wills and Edith Emma Simons Marriage Certificate St. Gabriel church |
John at this time was living at 22 Cromwell Street, and his
occupation is recorded as Saddler.
In the 1911 Census, the couple are living at Emporium Cyfyng,
Ystalyfera, Pontardawe. Jonh’s
occupation is recorded as Harness Maker, General Hand.
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| 1911 Census |
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| William John Wills Attestation Papers |
Following John’s death in December 1917, Edith was the recipient
of a pension. Edith had moved back to
the Sketty area.
There isn’t anything published in the local papers about John’s
funeral at St. Pauls.
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| Honiton war memorial |
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| Honiton war memorial |
John is also commemorated on the Honiton’s war memorial.
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