Willis, Herbert Pakeman

WILLIS,

HUBERT PAKEMAN

BORN 31 JULY 1885

Hubert Pakeman Willis was

born , on 31 July 1885 in Swindon, Gloucestershire, son of Hubert Thornton Willis (b 1860 in Cheltenham), and Mary Telfair Willis (née Pakeman, b 1858 in Cheltenham).

Hubert Thornton and Mary were married in 1884 and had three children including Brian Oscar (b 4 August 1887 in Cheltenham) and Noelle Edith (b 1891 in Cheltenham).

School records show him as Herbert Pakeman Willis, entering 17 September 1896, aged 11. At that time his mother was living at 2, Whiteladies Gate. His father is recorded as in Australia.

Hubert entered as a County Council Scholar, winning a form prize in July 1897 and leaving on 11 June 1900, aged 14. In the Chronicle of December 1899, Hubert, a member of Cotham House, received Division Football Colours. He is mentioned several times in the House Football reports and was clearly a good sportsman.

Hubert Pakeman’s brother Brian Oscar Willis joined the school on 21 September 1899, aged 12, leaving in December 1902, aged 15. Brian entered as a Junior Technical Scholar in 1899.

The 1901 census shows Hubert living in Bristol, occupation Bank Clerk.

According to marriage records, Violet Frances Jenny Ashton (b 1885 in Clifton Bristol) married Hubert Pakeman Willis in 1909 in Bristol. However, the 1911 census shows Hubert Thornton Willis (bank clerk) and Mary Telfair Willis living at 115 Whiteladies Road with three children, Hubert Pakeman (recorded as single at this time), Brian Oscar and Noelle Edith Willis. (The marriage date of 1909 is at odds with the census details of 1911.)

Hubert Pakeman served with the Suffolk Regiment from 31 August 1915.

The school Chronicle of April 1917 makes mention of Hubert performing at the School Concert, held because of war time lighting restrictions, in the Victoria Rooms. Hubert sang the Sentry’s Song from Iolanthe. This was very appropriate as the Sentry's name was Private Willis.

He was discharged from service on 28 December 1917 and the school Chronicle of April 1918 records that Mr H P Willis sang Auld Lang Syne.

In 1921 the street directory records Hubert Pakeman Willis resident at 87a Redland Road.

Hubert Pakeman died of pneumonia and heart failure in Humber, Kingston on Hull on12 April 1922, aged 36, leaving wife Violet Frances Jenny Willis of 87a Redland Road.

Given his medical history and early death it is reasonable to assume that his death resulted from medical problems caused by the War.

Australian Electoral records show Violet was living in Mosman, Sydney in 1935 and died in Australia on 28 November 1944.

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