Gunner Willis Armitstead MM
700139 (Formerly 753) Royal Field Artillery
Lived at 32 Elizabeth Street, Nelson

Brother of 2nd Lieut Samuel Armitstead MC

210th (East Lancashire) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

Armitstead was a native of Nelson, Lancashire and at the outbreak of war he was living at 32, Elizabeth Street, Nelson.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 18 October 1917.

Willis landed in Egypt on the 25 September 1914 with the 1st East Lancashire Brigade, Royal Artillery (The Blackburn Artillery) later renamed the 210th (East Lancashire) Brigade, Royal Artillery, part of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. He landed in Gallipoli with number 6 Battery of the brigade on the 7 May 1915. After returning from Gallipoli he would serve in Egypt, the Sinai Desert, France and Belgium.

His original number was 753 which is shown on the Medal Roll for his 1914/15 Star and the later number of 700139 on the Medal Rolls for his Military Medal, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal.

Willis emigrated to Australia on the 5 March 1920 sailing there on board the S.S. Demosthemes.

Willis enlisted into the Australian Army on the 25 June 1940 (#N74843) when he stated his place and date of birth as 7 September 1896 at Nelson, Lancashire, England. His next of kin was Blanche Sybil Armitstead of Boolaroo Road, Teralba, NSW and was a butcher by trade. His former service during WW1 was noted. He served at several training establishments in Australia from 1940 until 1946 and was discharged as a Staff Sergeant.

He died at Teralba, New South Wales, Australia on the 29 January 1953 and was buried in Newcastle Memorial Park, Beresfield, New South Wales, Australia.

Willis was the brother of 2/Lieutenant Samuel Armitstead who was awarded the Military Cross during WW1 his entry on this site can be found at https://www.burnleyinthegreatwar.info/burnleygallantry/armitsteadmc.html