Dick had commanded C Company for 15 consecutive years. The Company consisted of well trained soldiers who knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses and who trusted each other. They were a team.
On morning of the 25th April 1915 C Company landed on W Beach to the west of Cape Helles, Gallipoli with the rest of the 1st Battalion Royal Lancashire Fusiliers. C Company was met by deadly fire from hidden Turkish machine-guns which caused a large number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up the cliffs cutting the wire entanglements as they went on, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy. After overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Dick Willis was among the six members of his regiment who were elected for the award of the Victoria Cross in the famous ‘6 VCs. before breakfast’ action. These 6 VCs represented 16% of the total number of 40 VCs award in the Gallipoli campaign.
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