WILLIS Ernest. Major, Kite Balloon Section, Royal Air Force, Malta. Born 1st March 1883, Enlisted into the RAF 3 July 1915. He was promoted at temporary Sub Lieutenant, Kite Balloons, 14 September 1915. Killed in an accident 1st July 1918. He was the youngest son of David and Charlotte Louisa Willis, of Garbrand Hall, Ewell, Surrey. At rest in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.
Extract from the Stock Exchange Memorial Book -
Major Ernest Willis, Royal Air Force was born in 1883 at Haileysbury. He became a member of the Stock Exchange in 1908. On the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as Sub-Lieutenant and serving in a motor boat which he later commended as a Lieutenant. June 1915 he was transferred to Kite Balloon Section of the Royal Naval Air Service and was appointed to H.M.S. Canning as Balloon Pilot. When the Canning was ordered hom he remained at Thasos as Beachmaster. In 1916 he was invalided home suffering from malaria. Whe he had recovered he was sent to the Scilly Isle to erect a balloon station. From there to Shotley and then Malta. He attained the rank of Major when the Royal Naval Air Service was absorbed by the Royal Air Force.
At rest in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. Plot B. Row XIX. Grave 01.
His brother Lieutenant Raymond Willis 5th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry attached to 18th (Queen Mary’s Own) Hussars. Killed in action on the 25th of March 1918, aged 37 and is at rest in Carnroy Military Cemetery, Somme, France Grave G1A.
http://www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk/WarMemorialsSurnamesW.html#WillisE
