About George Willes
Lived 1823 – 1901 (aged 77). George Willes was a British naval officer.
Admiral Sir George Ommanney Willes (19 June 1823 – 18 February 1901) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.
Early life Born at Hythe, Hampshire in 1823, Willes was the son of Captain George Wickens Willes, RN, by his wife Anne Lacon, daughter of Sir Edmund Lacon, Baronet. He was educated at the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth, and joined the Royal Navy in 1838.
Naval career Willes received his commission as Mate in 1842, and as Lieutenant in 1844, and of HMS Impérieuse in 1861. In both cases as Flag Captain to the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies.
In 1864 he was made Captain of the ironclad warship HMS Prince Consort.
He became Admiral-Superintendent at Devonport in 1876 and Commander-in-chief, China Station in 1881.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was George Willes?
British Royal Navy admiral (1823-1901)
When was George Willes born?
George Willes was born on 19 June 1823.
When did George Willes die?
George Willes died on 18 February 1901 in London.
What was George Willes's occupation?
George Willes was a naval officer.
What nationality was George Willes?
George Willes was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George Willes. https://biography.guide/george-willes-naval-officer/
MLA: "George Willes." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-willes-naval-officer/.
Chicago: "George Willes." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-willes-naval-officer/.
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