Memorable Manitobans: Charles Richard Edward Willets (1880-1931)

Soldier.

Born at Windsor, Nova Scotia on 21 May 1880, son of the Rev. Dr. C. E. and Mrs. Willets, he was educated at King’s College School at Windsor, Nova Scotia and the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario. He served with the South African Constabulary (1900-1905), Royal Canadian Regiment (1906-1919), and Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (1919-1925).

During the First World War, Saw much distinguished service in France and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. In the 1920s, he was Commanding Officer of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry at Fort Osborne Barracks, Military District No. 10.

On 7 April 1913, he married Jean MacMechan (1890-1978) and they had two daughters: Grace Cecily Willets (1914-2010, wife of ? Stephen) and Edith Margaret Willets (1921-2013, wife of ? Campbell). His recreations included cricket, golf, football, and tennis.

He died in 1931 and was buried in the Pinehill Cemetery at Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Sources:

Pioneers and Prominent People of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Canadian Publicity Company, 1925.

“Prominent officer dies at Kingston,” Montreal Star, 2 September 1931, page 6.

Obituary [Jean Harriet Willets], Ottawa Citizen, 20 January 1978, page 30.

Obituary [Grace Cecily Stephen], Toronto Star, 27 December 2010, page 54.

Obituary [Edith Margaret Campbell], Dignity Memorial.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Darryl Toews.

Page revised: 11 March 2024

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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