Arthur Willmer

Arthur Franklin Willmer (10 January 1890 – 20 September 1916) was an English first-class cricketer and British Army officer.

Willmer was born at Claughton to Arthur Washington Willmer, a JP and cotton broker, and his wife Janet Mary Willmer (née Cooper).[1] He was educated at the nearby Birkenhead School, where he played cricket for four years, captaining the college in his last two.[1] From Birkenhead he went up to Brasenose College, Oxford to study law on an open scholarship.[1] While studying at Oxford, Willmer made one appearance in first-class cricket for Oxford University against the Free Foresters at Oxford in 1912.[2] He batted twice during the match, ending each innings unbeaten on 5 and 7 respectively.[3] He bowled ten overs across the match with his right-arm fast bowling, conceding 36 runs.[3] After graduating, Willmer passed both of his intermediate and final exams to be called to the bar.[1] He played minor counties cricket for Cheshire in 1914, making two appearances in the Minor Counties Championship.[4]

He joined the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps in October 1914,[1] before enlisting in the 9th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade in December 1914.[5] He travelled to France in early 1915 and was severely wounded in the jaw by shrapnel in June of that year, returning to action after recovering over a period of months.[1] He was promoted to both the temporary ranks of lieutenant and captain in October 1915, the latter while commanding a company,[6] however this appointment was cancelled in April 1916.[7] Willmer was once again wounded by shrapnel during the Battle of the Somme on 18 September 1916, dying from his wounds two days later at Rouen.[1] He was buried at the St. Sever Cemetery in Rouen.[1]

His brother was the histologist Nevill Willmer, while another brother, Gordon Willmer, was a judge.