Next of Kin Memorial Plaque commemorating Thomas Willis RN (1876-1914). Uniface: Britannia standing (half-right) holding a trident in her right hand and a laurel wreath in her extended left; at her feet, a lion (right). In background, two dolphins and a branch of oak. At the base, a lion (left) devours an eagle. Legend: 'HE: DIED: FOR: FREEDOM: AND: HONOVR'. On rectangular plaque: 'THOMAS WILLIS'. In card box of issue. Able Seaman Thomas Willis RN was killed in action when HM Ships 'Cressy' and 'Hogue' were sunk by 'U9', on 22 September 1914. These plaques were issued to the relatives of those killed in the First World War or dying as a result of the conflict within seven years of the cessation of hostilities.

Thomas Willis was born near Chesterfield, Derbyshire and signed up for twelve years naval service on 8 January 1894. He served on the China Station from 1898-1901 during the Boxer Rebellion in HMS 'Dido' and was in HMS 'Mohawk' off the East African coast during the British Campaign in Somaliland of 1902-4. Willis joined the Royal Fleet Reserve in 1906 and re-enrolled in 1910. He was killed in action in HMS 'Aboukir' when she was sunk by 'U9' in the North Sea with HM Ships 'Cressy' and 'Hogue' on 22 September 1914. These three cruisers were obsolete by this time and were manned mainly by reservists.