Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Mr and Mrs John Willett. Thomas was killed near to La Bassee, France. The War Diary for today records. At 5.30am the Battn was in positions of readiness in accordance with orders in four lines opposite their objective with bombing parties, sandbag parties and carrying parties all arranged and in position. At 6.00am the first line got over the parapet quickly followed by the second, the left had to right form to get in line with the right as the trench ran back from a salient near the centre. As the first two lines went out the third and fourth filed into the vacant positions in the firing line. The gas affected a number of our men, and the smoke caused a dense fog and direction was difficult. Casualties began at once and the third line was ordered out to fill up gaps. Owing to the thick smoke it seemed likely that gaps would occur on the flanks and at 6.07am the fourth line was sent out with special instructions to maintain touch with the units on either flank. At about 6.10am the left were over the German parapet and our flag was seen flying on their lines. The left went forward with such dash that they outstripped the 2nd/8th GURKHAS and came in for a lot of fire from rifles and maxim guns from our right. This caused a good many casualties including all the officers and most of the NCO’s of A Coy which was the extreme left. Undeterred the men went on, got over the uncut wire and reached the road with parties of the 2nd/8th GURKHAS and gained their objective. In the meantime our right had not fared so well. They went forward in good line under a heavy fire till held up by the German wire. A number of our men here were collected in the ditch in front of the German wire waiting for developments. Officer casualties. Killed Capt F. H. ROMILLY D.S.O., Capt E. C. Deane R.A.M.C. Died of wounds 2nd Lt M. W. BROWNE. Wounded Lt Col H. GORDON D.S.O., Capt W. C. WILSON, Lt H. H. PHILLIPS, 2nd Lt G. W. TANNER, 2nd Lt H. H. HEMPHILL, 2nd Lt V. E. ELLINGHAM, 2nd Lt C. C. BAILEY, 2nd Lt G. W. GROSSMITH. Slightly wounded Major F. LEWIS, Capt D. L. WEIR. Gassed 2nd Lt W. WILSON. Missing and believed killed Lt W. T. PICKIN, 2nd Lt R. E. S. LODGE. Missing known to have been wounded 2nd Lt C. G. WOODBOURN. Missing and no trace 2nd Lt W. J. WILKINSON, 2nd Lt E. A. WILKINSON, 2nd Lt T. R. LONGCROFT. Rank and file casualties. Killed 72. Wounded 217. Gassed 42. Missing 96. Wounded slightly but did not quit Battn 3. What was left of the Battn were relieved from the front line by the 2nd/39th GARWHAL RIFLES at 6.30pm and moved into support and local reserve just in rear. Before the operations began the Battn worked for a week in strengthening the front line and preparing the defences behind. Four very strong lines were constructed capable of resisting the enemy’s bombardment.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday June 11th, 1915

Coalville Soldier Lucky - "Thank God I am Alive"

Writing on Whit-Monday, from “somewhere in France” to his parents, Mr and Mrs J. Willett, of Ivy Dene Cottage, Highfields, Coalville, Pte. T. W. Willett, of the 2nd Leicesters says he is quite well and continues:

“We have just come out of the trenches for a rest and we need it. I am feeling a lot better now after a good bath, a swim and a clean change of clothing. I got the ‘Coalville Times’ while in the trenches. We were there six Sundays altogether. You don’t know one day from another here. Whitsuntide makes no difference; the fighting has to be done just the same. We are giving the Germans “sock” now and I don’t think it will last much longer, I hope not anyhow. I’ve had quite enough of it. I think we shall soon have a good rest now and we’ve earned it. I have seen something of the war this last week or two and thank God I am alive. I lost two of my pals by my side and I’ve been very lucky not to be hit. I am sending you some poetry written by my mate. He’s a good friend to me and I think it’s worth putting in the “Times.” It refers to the same battle as that in which J. Sheffield and _______ got killed (the death of the second Coalville man has not been officially notified. Ed). The verses referred to, written by L-Corpl. Turner, of the 2nd Leicesters, of Peckleton, are as follows:

The battle was a fierce one,
And we’ve many a tale to tell
Of the glorious victory we achieved
In the fight at Neuve Chapelle.

The gallant second Leicesters
Right bravely faced the Huns,
Though comrades round were falling
Before their Maxim guns.

Bravely our heroes made the charge,
And hundreds of them fell,
When they reached the German trenches
Which are called the streets of hell.

The Huns came up in thousands,
To frustrate our attack,
But our gallant lads in khaki
Saw that they didn’t get back.

Old England ought to be quite proud
Of all her soldier sons;
Especially our artillery,
For the way they manned the guns.

We’ve seen some funny sights out here,
Since we came across the foam,
And we’ve many a tale to tell them
When we reach the dear old home.

The verses I have made up here,
Are just a simple rhyme,
Of how things go on at the front,
Which pals will prove in time.

Coalville Times article - Friday January 17th 1919

COALVILLE SOLDIER’S DEATH

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING AND A PRISONER

Three official reports have been received by Mr and Mrs John Willett, of Ivy Dene Cottages, Highfields, Coalville, concerning the fate of their only son, Private Thomas William Willett, of the 3rd Leicesters, who formerly worked at the South Leicestershire Colliery, and voluntarily enlisted on November 9th, 1914.

After the battle of Loos on September 25th, 1915, Private Willett was reported missing. Ten months later his parents received another official communication stating that their son was a prisoner in Germany, while a day or so ago, a third letter was received from the War Office stating that the soldier had been killed in action or died of wounds on September 25th 1915 or since. Accompanying this letter is one from Lord Milner, expressing the sympathy of the King and Queen. The deceased soldier was 29 years of age when he enlisted. His parents have heard nothing from him since prior to September 25th, 1915.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 26th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. T. W. Willett, who fell in action at the Battle of Loos, September 25th, 1915. Age 29 years.

“A light is from our household gone;
A voice we loved is still’d,
A place is vacant in our home,
Which never can be filled.”

From his loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 24th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

WILLETT – In loving memory of Thomas William Willett, who was killed in action, September 25th, 1915. Aged 29 years.

“In memory ever dear.”

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 2/9/2017