Frederick Alan Willis

Born 27 January 1870 at Howick, Auckland, eldest son of Alan Willis and Eliza Emma Bartlett, his wife.

He was a horse-carriage driver, and worked on the Makatoke Viaduct 1900-1904, the family living in Waihi. From about 1913 - 1916 he was a coal merchant and carrier in Te Kuiti in the King Country:

CHARLTON & WILLIS (Late Hattaway & Fitzpatrick, Ltd.) Coal & Coke Merchants. Carriers, etc, Beg to inform their customers that they are expecting a supply of Heath Newcastle Household Coal in the course of a few days. As the immediate supply will be limited customers are advised to place their orders without delay SUPPLIES OF COKE AND FIREWOOD ARE NOW AVAILABLE King Country Chronicle, 15 November 1913, p4

Died at Aria of pneumonic influenza, 25 November 1918, aged 48, and is buried there. He apparently caught it from a tramp who was given a bed for the night. His father wrote his to his wife:

Dear Emily, We did get a shock when you told us the sad news it would not have to bad if we had known we did not know he was sick. I would have written before but I myself was in bed next to death door they gave me up three nights I was in a terable feaver. I am up again but have no strength my legs wouldn’t carry me. Mother nursed as long as she could. They had to send for Rosie helped two week’s went back the day we received your letter. Had a letter from Daisy we were getting ancious because Daisy is so delicate but she did not get it. Paddy and Criss both have it but have got over it. But cheer up Emily and come and stop with us for a while for what is to be will be and we can’t help it it is the will of God. It has been dreadful in Onehunga not a house escaped there are ten widow’s down our side of church St they were putting two in one coffin. And carting them to the cemetry in motor lorries could not get anything else. Emma was here yesterday and she told me she had written to you. I suppose we will soon have Jack home again. Grandmama is keeping fairly well, we are all on our own now Lallie is gone home to Coromandel. I will conclude with fondest love from Dad and mother XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX What is Conies full name and also Alan's because I want to know very particuly when you write don’t forget to let me know Letter to Emily Willis (widow of Frederick Alan Willis) from her father-in-law, Alan Willis (1843-1919) of Church Street East, Onehunga, Auckland: December 5, 1918.

And the local paper wrote:

ARIA - With devout thankfulness we may now say we have turned the corner with the epidemic in our midst, The two boardinghouses were commandeered as hospitals, and all the space was required. A band of willing helpers has been kept busy night and day attending to the sufferers. Four nurses came in from Auckland, and there is not a particle for doubt they have done splendid work and saved much life, especially among the Maoris. The matron, driven round in motor or gig, visited every case and wherever serious symptoms showed themselves she had the patients removed to the hospital, that they might be under her watchful eye. Whole families were down in some instances, and dairymen with herds to milk were often sorely driven for help; but neighbours in all cases strained every effort to give assistance. There have been several deaths. Mrs A. J. Keighley had been in bad health, and she and her husband went to Christchurch thinking she might benefit by the change. A week there and she succumbed to the disease, and was brought back to Aria for burial. The funeral was well attended, for the deceased lady and her husband are among the most respected settlers in the district. They both were never tired of lending a helping hand socially, and in patriotic work stood out prominently. One very sad point of the bereavement is that six young children mourn the loss of an excellent mother. Mr Len Holloway passed away from pneumonia, and Tuesday witnessed the funeral of Mr Fred Willis, another victim. Universal sympathy is felt for Mrs Willis and her two children, and the genial and obliging mailman will be greatly missed. He had had a trying time exposed as he was so much during the past wet winter and spring, and hence was not in good condition to resist the ravages of the disease. Four Maoris have died, but the toll among them could easily have been greater if it had not been for the pakeha attention. King Country Chronicle, 30 November 1918, p5

Married on 31 December 1903 at Pukekohe East (at her brother Thomas' house), to Emily Hamilton. She was born 3 June 1877 at Pukekohe East, daughter of Thomas Hamilton and Mary Margaret Gordon from Co. Down. She died at Taumarunui in 1964, and is buried there.

Issue one daughter and one son: