Harold Francis Willcocks
Person details
| Forename(s) | Harold Francis |
|---|---|
| Surname | Willcocks |
| Rank | Major and Adjutant |
| Regiment | Royal Military Academy (attached) |
| Age | 29 |
| Death | Died of septicaemia as a result of gas |
| Place of Death | Woolwich, London, England, United Kingdom |
| Date of Death | 07/05/1919 |
| Year of Entry | 1904 |
| House Letter | F |
| School Notes | Junior Scholar, Hall Mathematical Prize |
| Comments |
Not in album, but at end of war memorial; doesn't say if died of wounds. Radleian of 18/6/19 has epitaph from the Field. Father of John Francis Willcocks (B Social 1931) War Memorial Fund Ctte minutes 19.7.1923: '4. Mr Coote informed the Committee that Mr WN Willcocks had expressed his great regret that the name of his son Capt HF Willcocks did not appear in the list in the archway of those who died in the Great War. Capt Willcocks died 6 months after the Armistice but the doctors thought it probable that death was caused by after effects of the War. There was some discussion on this and the Warden said that this case and other similar ones had been carefully considered by Mr FJ Nugee who drew up the list as it appears in the Archway, but as there was a rather general expression of opinion in favour of extending the list, say to 3 years after the Armistice to include such cases as that of Capt Willcocks, it was agreed that a Subcommittee, consisting of the Warden, Mr Nugee and the Hon Sec, should go into the whole question afresh and should report to the General Committee at the Annual Meeting.' War Memorial Fund Ctte minutes 12.12.1923: '6. Mr Nugee said that the Sub Committee on the names on the Archway had met and gone into the question and after full consideration recommended that Capt HF Willcocks's name should be added to the list and that any future applications should be considered on their merits.' |
| Commonwealth War Graves Commission Link | https://www.cwgc.org/find-record... |
| Unit | - |
| Prefect | Prefect |
| Military Decorations | Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur |
| Album Number | 0 |
| Battle | |
| Previous Regiment | Royal Field Artillery |
| Additional Notes |
26.7.1919. The Radleian. Memorial address. Major Harold Francis Willcocks, R.F.A., who died from septicaemia, at the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, on May 7, after five days' illness, was the only son of Mr. W. K. Willcocks, barrister-at-law, of 12 , Lansdowne·crescent, W., and 1, Stone-buildings, Lincoln's Inn, and the late Mrs. Willcocks, and was born in July, 1890. He was educated at "Evelyns," at Cothill House, and at Radley, where he won an entrance scholarship in 1904. From Radley he passed into the Royal Military Academy in September, 1909, and obtained his commission in the R.F.A. in December, 1910. He went to France in August, 1914, with the Second Division of the Expeditionary Force as lieutenant in the 60th Battery (Howitzer), R.F.A., and was awarded the Croix de Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in recognition of his services at Landredes during the retreat from Mons, where he knocked out a German gun at midnight on August 25, an incident described in Lord Ewest Hamilton's book, "The First Seven Divisions." He continued to serve in France up to October, 1917, acting as A.D.C. to General Onslow, C.R.A., 2nd Division, from June 15 to August 15, 1915, and being promoted captain in August, 1916, and major (acting) in February, 1917. He was invalided home towards the end of 1917 suffering from the effects of poison gas, and, on recovery, was appointed, in April, 1918, Adjutant at the Royal Military Academy, which post he was occupying at his death. He married, in November, 1916, Marion Evelyn, elder daughter of Sir Henry and Lady King, of 26, First- avenue, Hove, and leaves an infant son. Major Willcocks was a keen cricketer; at Radley he Was for three years in the First XI, and, as a cadet, he was a member of the R.M.A. XI, playing in the match against Sandhurst in 1910. For several seasons he also played for Berkshire, and "it was in cricketing circles perhaps," writes Lieutenant-Colonel Wilfred Jelf, C.M.G., n5.0., second in command, R.M.A., "that he formed some of his most precious friendships. A good left-hand bowler with a beautiful clean action and a very pronounced swerve, which was often a source of trouble to wicket-keeper as well as to batsman, he represented the R.A. in their best matches for many seasons, and played in the R.A. v, R.E. matches at Lord's in 1911, 1913. and 1914 with considerable success. Soldier-cricket perhaps produces the most ideal features of sport coupled with camaraderie and esprit de corps, and soldier-cricketers are the poorer for the loss of one of their brightest personalities, whose memory time will never dim. His constant attendance at the cadets' nets and matches at the R.M.A. last season was one of the features of the year, and in his unflagging interest he will there be painfully missed this season by those who loved him so dearly." The Commandant, R.M. Academy (Major- General G. H. A. White, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.), writes of him :-" We have been left poorer by the loss of one who realized the best and truest type of English gentleman. A good disciplinarian, yet with sympathy, tact, and a keen sense of humour, he was cut out by temperament and character for the post which he so ably filled. Devoted to his work and a keen supporter of games, Harold WilIcocks made himself beloved alike by officers, cadets, and the subordinate staff of the Academy. His favourite game was cricket, and he played it not only in the field, but in his life as well. I, who have been in daily and hourly contact with him for the past 11 months, am left with a deep sense of personal loss, and it is hard to realize that we shall miss in future the cheery presence we have come to know and love. By his death the shop has lost a true friend and the Service a fine and gallant officer." It was intended to publish the above article in the last number of the Radleian, but it was unavoidably held over until this one. |
| Burial or Cemetery | CHARLTON CEMETERY, GREENWICH, London, England. Grave ref 1 "C." N. 16 |
| Place of Birth | Watford, Hertfordshire; from Hove, Sussex |
| Post School | Woolwich; Married 1916 Marion Evelyn KIng |
| Shields in Hall | NU47 |
