| Willis | Evelyn Stuart Constantine | | Lieutenant | WILLIS, EVELYN STUART CONSTANTINE, Lieutenant, was born 6 October 1879, son of Richard A Willis, MA, formerly of The Hermitage, Woking, and of Marion Willis. He was educated at Harrow, and Heidelberg College, and entered the Devonshire Regiment 11 February 1899. He was promoted Lieutenant 24 February 1900, and served in South Africa, 1899-1902, taking part in the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso; operations of 17 to 24 Jan 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900) and action at Pieter's Hill; operations in Natal, March to June 1900; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 24 November 1900, including actions at Lydenberg (5 to 8 September); operations in the Transvaal, 30 November 1900 to December 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 17 January 1902]; received the Queen's and King's Medals with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Evelyn Stuart Constantine Willis, Lieutenant, The Devonshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was transferred to the 58th Rifles, Frontier Force, Indian Army, 10 December 1903, and became Captain 11 February 1908, and Major on 1 September 1915. He served in the European War in France from 1914 to March 1917; in Mesopotamia, 1917; in Palestine, 1918, and in Cilicia, 1919, serving both as a regimental officer and on the Staff in each theatre; he was wounded 23 November 1914; mentioned in Despatches in 1914, for gallantry in action at Festubert, and again in 1917, and was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel in 1919. Lieutenant Colonel Willis married, in 1915, Frances Fernande, daughter of G Blanchard Fry, of Osterley Court, Middlesex.
DSO, OBE, QSA (3), KSA (2) (Lt, Devon Regt), 1914 Star, BWM, Victory Medal with MID (Lt Col, 58th Rifles), IGS 1909 (2) Waziristan 1919-21 Waziristan 1921-24 (Lt Col 28/Punj), 1911 Delhi Durbar (Capt, 58th Rifles). Glendinings 1952 no price information.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Devonshire Regiment |
