1/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 12 December 1917.

Hartley was a native of Padiham, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of 17 October 1917 reported, TERRITORIAL'S MILITARY MEDAL. Mrs. Hartley, of 59, Stockbridge Road, Padiham, has been officially informed through a comrade that her son, Private Willie Hartley, of the East Lancashire Regiment (T.F.), has won the Military Medal for bravery on the field of battle, and states that it is another honour for Padiham. The distinguished soldier, 21 years of age, is a well known Padiham Territorial, and went out to Egypt with the first draft in September 1914. He also fought in the Dardenelles, and later served in France, in which country he landed on March 12th 1917. Previous to joining the colours he was a weaver at Messrs. Noble's, Church Street Manufacturing Company, Padiham, and a scholar at the Unitarian Sunday School where he is on the roll of honour.