Other Information:Joseph Willis lived at 45 Front Street, Merrington Lane, Spennymoor. Before the war he was employed as a miner (putter) at Westerton Colliery. On 4th September 1915, at the age of 17 years, he enlisted into the R.A.M.C., then entered the war in France on the 18th November. He was 18 years old when he was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry on many occasions in bringing in the wounded between the 29th July and 4th August 1916. In November 1917 in the Weslyan Schoolroom, Mount Pleasant, Spennymoor, Pte J. Willis was presented by officials and workmen of Westerton Colliery with a gold keyless wristlet watch in honour of the award of the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry on the Western Front. He transferred to Army Reserve on 8th January 1919. [Information researched and kindly provided by John & Jim Grainger. Photograph also courtesy of John Grainger]
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