Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.

Detail :

Captain Willie James Oxley, Royal Engineers formerly a Private of the Essex Yeomanry.

Willie embarked to France landing on 30th November 1914 and gave service for the entire duration. Gained his commission 5th September, 1915.

Probate OXLEY Willie James of 45 High Street Walton-on-the-Naze Essex died 1 May 1960 at By-the-Way Connaught Avenue Frinton-on-Sea Essex Probate Ipswich 19 July to Barclays Bank Limited and Marie Louise Oxley widow. Effects £9531 17s. 6d.

For his service in the Great War, he was entitled to and received the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, the former as a Private. He was also Mentioned in Despatches (LG 23rd December, 1918 Pg15039), whilst Acting Captain, 20th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. Later in life, he received an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 1952 (LG Supp 5th June 1952 Pg 3026), "Captain Willie James OXLEY, Honorary Secretary, Walton and Frinton Life-boat Station."

Following the war he lived for some time at 15 High Street, "Shell Cottage", Walton-on-Naze, Essex.

The Chelmsford Chronicle 22 June, 1928 records the story of his being summoned to court as Secretary of the Walton Yacht Club for "supplying whisky out of permitted hours." He was charged along with the Steward of the Club for that offence pleading guilty, whilst two others were charged with consuming the whisky, pleading not guilty. The officers of the club were charged £10 each, whilst a third person, Hughes, was fined £10 for aiding and abetting. The authorities were willing to attempt to revoke the licence for the club on the grounds that there were 37 people on the premise after hours, but the judgement spared this noting it as a "genuine" and "bona fide" club.

Masonic :

At the time of his initiation at Frinton in 1916 Willie had already been on operations for 2 years and so he is recorded as a Lieutenant resident at Walton-on-Naze. The contribution records his war service until 1920 before dues recommence.

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley