Willetts, James

James Willetts was born on June 23, 1878 in Staffordshire, England to parents William and Elizabeth Willetts. The Willetts’ family immigrated to Canada, and made their home in Lethbridge, Alberta. James later married his wife, Sarah, and the couple had one daughter, Dorothy. At time of enlistment, he was employed as a mechanic. On July 27, 1916, James Willetts enlisted with the 239th Battalion Canadian Railway Troops. Anxious to do his part, he had twice before tried to enlist, but was unsuccessful. Sapper Willetts arrived in England on December 25, 1916, and remained in England until embarking for France on March 11, 1917. He would serve in France for the next ten months. By January 1918, Sapper Willetts was unable to continue at the front, and was diagnosed with general debility, which would later prove to be heart failure. He was invalided to Canada on May 31, 1918, and reunited with family and friends. James never did recover from his illness, and on March 12, 1919, he passed away in British Columbia. He was laid to rest at Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria. James Willetts was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his war time service