Francis Michael Willis (SN 3229) born at Colac was a 29 year old groom when he enlisted at Goulburn NSW on October 17th 1916. He embarked from Sydney aboard the Suevic on November 11th and sailed to England. Attached to the 55th Infantry Battalion his training in England was hampered by an old elbow injury which prevented him from doing rifle drills. After medical assessment it was decided he was fit only for home service, so he was returned to Australia aboard the Runic and discharged on August 13th 1917 ‘medically unfit, limited movement right elbow’.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Michael F. Willis.