Early Years
Wills was born in Totnes in Devon, the second child to Dr William Wills (1800 – 28 September 1889) and Sarah Mary Elizabeth Wills (née Calley, 23 December 1800 – 19 February 1880). He was one of seven children;
- Elizabeth Rose Wills (August 1831–23 May 1832).
- William John Wills (5 January 1834–June/July 1861).
- Thomas Wills (July 1835–October 1836).
- Thomas James Wills (b. 1837, came to Australia in 1853, married Anne McDonald in 1860, d. Ballarat, 20 May 1909).
- Charles Henry Wills (1839–1864).
- Elizabeth Margaret Wills (b. 1843, married Humphrey Joseph Hare (b.1835) in 1867, d. ?).
- Hannah Wills (b. 24 March 1845, unmarried, d. London, 15 April 1914).
He lived at the family home at Ipplepen and as a young child he contracted a fever which left him with "slow and hesitating speech". He was home-tutored by his father until the age of 11 and then from 1845 to 1850 he attended St Andrew's Grammar School, Ashburton. He was then articled to Wills' surgical practice. In 1852 he studied practical chemistry under John Stenhouse at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London.
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