Edward Willis Duncan Willis

assistant administrator lieutenant military army officer

December 17, 1853 (age 74)

He was a notable reformer of army administration, improving efficiency of mobilization, medical services and supplies. He was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in the 2nd Royal Lanarkshire Militia in December 1873, and transferred to the 2nd West India Regiment in February 1874. In April 1874 he transferred into the Control Department as a Sub-Assistant Commissary, transferring to the new Commissariat and Transport Department in 1875, although he did not resign his militia commission until December 1874. He was promoted Assistant Commissary in 1876. In January 1880 the department changed its name to the Commissariat and Transport Staff and Ward became a Deputy Assistant Commissary-General in the new organisation. In April 1885 Commissariat and Transport Staff officers were given honorary military rank and Ward also became a Captain. In December 1885 he was promoted to Assistant Commissary-General and Major. In December 1888 the department underwent yet another change, becoming the Army Service Corps, with its officers now holding full military rank. He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1890 and Brevet Colonel in March 1898. After the Siege of Ladysmith, Sir George White called him "the greatest supply officer since Moses". Ward was a President of the Union Jack Club, and Chairman of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was created a Baronet, of Wilbraham Place, in 1914. Together with Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 3rd Marquess of Dufferin and Ava and Viscountess Ednam, he died when their aeroplane returning to London from Le Touquet exploded in midair at Meopham, Kent. The title became extinct on his death.

Edward Willis Duncan Willis

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assistant administrator lieutenant military army officer

Background

WARD, Edward Willis Duncan was born on December 17, 1853 in Oban. Son of late " Captain John Ward, Royal Navy, and Mary Hope, daughter of late John Bowie.

Education

Studied at private school.

Career

He was a notable reformer of army administration, improving efficiency of mobilization, medical services and supplies. He was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in the 2nd Royal Lanarkshire Militia in December 1873, and transferred to the 2nd West India Regiment in February 1874. In April 1874 he transferred into the Control Department as a Sub-Assistant Commissary, transferring to the new Commissariat and Transport Department in 1875, although he did not resign his militia commission until December 1874.

He was promoted Assistant Commissary in 1876.

In January 1880 the department changed its name to the Commissariat and Transport Staff and Ward became a Deputy Assistant Commissary-General in the new organisation. In April 1885 Commissariat and Transport Staff officers were given honorary military rank and Ward also became a Captain.

In December 1885 he was promoted to Assistant Commissary-General and Major. In December 1888 the department underwent yet another change, becoming the Army Service Corps, with its officers now holding full military rank.

He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1890 and Brevet Colonel in March 1898.

After the Siege of Ladysmith, Sir George White called him "the greatest supply officer since Moses". Ward was a President of the Union Jack Club, and Chairman of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was created a Baronet, of Wilbraham Place, in 1914.

Together with Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 3rd Marquess of Dufferin and Ava and Viscountess Ednam, he died when their aeroplane returning to London from Le Touquet exploded in midair at Meopham, Kent.

The title became extinct on his death.

Achievements

Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) 1907 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) 1919.

Membership

Clubs: United Service, Junior1 Naval and Military, Travellers’.

Interests

Riding, rowing, fishing.

Connections

Spouse 1880, Florence Carolinedaughter of H. M. Simons.

Spouse:: Florence Carolinedaughter of H. M. Simons

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Born

December 17, 1853
Died

September 11, 1928 (aged 74)
Nationality
British

Official Titles

Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, cartulary-register 1907; Knight Commander of the Bath, cartulary-register 1900. Colonel; Sir.

Awards

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire; Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath; Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Royal Victorian Order; Grand Cross

Decorations Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) 1886 Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) 29 November 1900, in recognition of services in connection with the Campaign in South Africa 1899-1900 Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) 1907 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) 1919

Decorations Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) 1886 Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) 29 November 1900, in recognition of services in connection with the Campaign in South Africa 1899-1900 Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) 1907 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) 1919

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