WILLS, Lieut. -Col. Caleb Shera, C.B.

WILLS, Lieut. -Col. Caleb Shera, C.B. 1879; R.A.M.C. (retired); b. 1834; 2nd s. of Robert Wills and Mary d. of Caleb Shera; m. 1st, Louisa Lucy, a. of Rev. J. Holmes, 1872 (d. 1885); 2nd, Octavia Christina, d. of Rev. George Chute, 1888; three s. one d. Educ.: private school. L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S.I. Joined Army Medical Department, 1857; sanitary officer to Expedition to Canada in the Mason and Slidell affair with America, 1861; served with 83rd Regt., 1862-65; Private secretary and A.D.C. to Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Bahamas, 1866-69; to Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Windward Islands, 1872-75; served throughout Zulu War, South Africa, 1879 (despatches, medal, C.B.). Address: Lunecliffe, Lancaster. [Died Oct. 1906.

See: Pictorial catalogue of AZW graves for grave details

Louisa Lucy Holmes (1847-1885). Born on the 20th July 1847, on the 3rd July 1872 she married Lt-Colonel Caleb Shera Wills C.B., L.M., L.R.C.S. Irel, L.R.C.S. Irel., R.A.M.C. (1933-1906) Colonel Wills was the son of Robert Wills of Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim. In 1857 he joined the Army Medical Department serving at home for three years. After serving in Canada he was appointed to the 83rd Regiment of Foot. Subsequently he served as Private Secretary and AdC to Sir R. Rawson, Governor of the Bahamas, and in the same capacity in the Windward Islands until 1875. Four years later, with promotion to Surgeon-Major, he served in the Zulu War as Senior Medical Officer at the base and on the lines of communication between Durban and Lower Tugela, receiving the Queen’s Medal and Companion of the Order of the Bath. As Brigade-Surgeon he served in India until 1892, when he was appointed to the Depot at Lancaster, retiring on half-pay in 1899. He retired to Lunecliffe, Asthon-with-Stodday, devoting his time to the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, as President of the Amicable Society and the British Medical Association. He died on 12th October 1906 and was buried at Scotford Cemetery, his coffin borne by non-commissioned officers from Bowerham Barracks.

Louisa Lucy Holmes died very suddenly on the 31st October 1885, survived by two sons and a daughter. Colonel Wills married again and had another son. [Source: The British Medical Journal, 27th October, 1906]

Some imformation on Wills regarding his AZW Medal , He was awarded the South Africa General Service Medal ( Zulu War ) No Clasp , which means he never crossed the border into Zululand .
90th

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Gloucester Citizen, Saturday 13 October 1906.