Messages of condolence from overseas and across Australia have been received by the family of 93 year-old Marjorie Whitford of Gippsland, Victoria, who passed away peacefully, surrounded by four generations of loving family, including her 5 great-grandchildren, late Monday afternoon, 24th May 2010. 
Marjorie Whitford and grandson Tim Whitford
with a photo of Henry (Harry) Willis.
Photo: John Woudstra – The Melbourne Age (17 March 2010)
Marjorie’s funeral service was held at the Church of England in Yarram on Friday. It was very well attended which was to be expected, as this simple Gippsland woman for whom family was all, was incredibly well respected and loved. The Eulogy was delivered by her grandson, Tim Whitford, who said it was the most difficult speech he had ever made.
She was laid to rest alongside her husband, Bill Whitford in the Yarram Lawn Cemetery. Tim describes, “A happy ending to a love story that lasted for the better part of a century.”
It was Marjorie’s DNA sample that confirmed the identity of Pte Harry Willis, 31st Battalion, who was killed in the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916, and lay forgotten in one of the mass graves near Pheasant Wood until discovered in 2008. A discovery made possible by years of hard research and agitation against official resistance, by Lambis Englezos, Ward Selby, John Fielding and Tim Whitford.
The Melbourne Age reported on 17 March that Marjorie smiled joyously when told that her DNA sample had confirmed the identity of her uncle, Private Harry Willis.
“I am extremely happy that they have identified Harry … we never, ever forgot him and it was so awfully hard to grow up without him. I am so glad, so glad they found him,” she said before being taken out for fish and chips with her family.
The discovery means that the epitaph Harry Willis’ grief-stricken mother composed in 1918 will be inscribed on his headstone by the time a memorial service to commemorate the 94th anniversary of the battle in July takes place.
It will read simply: “Loved son of J & J Willis of Alberton, South Gippsland”.
Tim goes on, “she never gave up on her uncle Harry and ensured his memory was passed to me, as had her mother before her. Telling her of his identification and the site of his grave was one of greatest privileges of my life, as was being with her as she passed peacefully and with incredible dignity.”
Close friend, Lambis Englezos, said “I consider it my absolute privilege to have been there when Tim delivered the news to his Nan, Marjorie Whitford, that her uncle, Private Harry Willis had been identified. The shared joy was evident in the wonderful and joyous photo (above) that appeared the next day in the ‘Age’. The beaming Marjorie, Tim and Harry, re-united.
“In recent times during our ‘presentations’, Tim has referred to the long line of beautiful Gippsland women that have carried the loss and memory of Harry Willis. It was Nan’s DNA that identified Harry. It was certainly a special moment for Nan; Harry had been found. Identified and restored.
“There was another beautiful moment. Marjorie called Tim over with a term of disparaging affection – Tim beamed. I think that Tim’s Nan would be the only one in the world that could get away with it. Tim gave a smile of acknowledgement and concession. Beautiful and insightful.
“Marjorie Whitford was farewelled with great affection this week in the quiet rural Victorian district that she, Tim, and Harry Willis called ‘home’.
“Rest in Peace.”
FFFAIF extends its sympathy to Tim and the Whitford family on the loss of one who obviously meant so much to them and who restored identity to uncle Harry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult of times.
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The Families and Friends of the First AIF thanks the Australian, UK and French Governments for affording Australian and British soldiers dignified individual reburials in the new CWGC cemetery at Fromelles, and applauds the Australian and British Governments for their joint decision to DNA test the remains at exhumation and use every reasonable method to attempt identification of each soldier.