Imperial Australian Forces WWI - S.H WILLIS

[Newbie in SA]

Hi Everyone!

Just as I thought I had found all the leaves for one branch of my tree, a newspaper article popped up and alerted me that one leaf was missing .. 

I am researching my Irish ancestors, the Courtenays of Waterford.  However, Edward Courtenay 1814 - 1890 until today, in my mind had 5 daughters.  All accounted for with husband's and children.  Neatly arranged!

The newspaper article (Waterford News) makes mention of one of his grandchildren Lt. S.H Willis having come from Australia with the Imperial Australian Forces and had been through a terrible time in Gallipoli and all through the recent fighting on the Somme.

I have gone through every record I can lay my hands on, but have been unable to trace another daughter that could have married a Willis and immigrated to Australia.

Any Guru wishing to perhaps take a stab at this?

Kind Regards
Vanessa

[ennael]

Hi,
  What do the initials S.H stand for please?

Leanne

[Newbie in SA]

Hi Leanne

Thank you for your interest.

This is what makes the search so impossible!  The newspaper article only mentions the initials.  I even had a long hard look at family names to try and figure out possible names.  S.H must be from the father's side as it does not appear in the Courtenay line. (except for the name Hovendon)

Vanessa

[ennael]

Hi,
  A possibility:
COURTENAY  Frances Elizabeth    Liverpool  8b 123
WILLIS Stewart Henry     Liverpool  8b 123

http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl

Leanne

[Newbie in SA]

Hi Leanne

Thank you so much, I will follow that lead and let you know what happens!

Vanessa

[ennael]

Hi,
  Are you able to provide any information on the COURTENAY family, such as  names etc, did they have any connection to Rangoon, India or New Zealand?

Leanne

[rosball]

A long shot ...   was there a date on that marriage? And about when were daughters born?  I'm struggling to work out a time line.

Well I'll throw it into the mix ...
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28131382

WILLIS.—August 10, at Havelock, N.Z.. Reginald Courtenay Willis, beloved eldest son of Mr. and
Stewart Willis, aged 34 years.

It appeared in Sydney Morning Herald 21 Aug 1912

regards,
   Ros

adding : on NZ BDM it says he was 24 years old - no parents

[ennael]

Hi,
  Oops sorry Ros:

Marriages Sep  QTR 1875


Hi,
This is the one I was looking at:
WILLIS Rajah Henry
Service Number - Lieutenant
Place of Birth - Rangoon India
Place of Enlistment - Liverpool NSW
Next of Kin - (Mother) WILLIS Francis Elizabeth
http://www.naa.gov.au/

Leanne

[Newbie in SA]

Hi Leanne

No connections to India as far as I am aware, a branch of the family did settle in New Zealand.  I did follow your Willis lead, but sadly I do not think it fits.  Elizabeth Frances Courtenay (Willis) was born in England and I know that my ancestor, which would be her father never left Ireland.  Also there is a index in the 1901 and 1911 England census for her, no son mentioned. 

Here are some more info for you that I have on Edward from Ireland, perhaps that will help.

Edward Courtenay 1814 - 1890 m Sarah Susannah Walker 1820 - 1895

Children:
James Harold m Mary Elizabeth Micks stays in Ireland and has only one son
Mary m Henry Edward Clibborn immigrates to New Zealand and has 3 children
Sarah Lydia m Edward Clibborn stays in Ireland and has 6 children
Edward St. George immigrates to USA and remains unmarried
William Hovendon m Jane Elizabeth Crumbie immigrates to South Africa and has 2 children
Ida Clibborn m James Francis Thompson dies during her honeymoon
Charlotte Anne m James Cavanagh Murphy remains in Ireland and has 4 children
Rose Mabel m Thomas Fraser immigrates to Canada and has 3 children

Like looking for a needle in a haystack?