Carl Willis (Australian sportsman)
Carl Bleakley Willis was an Australian sportsman who played Australian rules football with South Melbourne and [Melbourne Melbourne University Football Club|University Football Club|University] in the Victorian Football League as well as first-class cricket for Victoria.
Family
The son of Thomas Rupert Henry Willis, and Mary Wilson Willis, née Bleakley, Carl Bleakley Willis was born at Daylesford, Victoria on 24 March 1893.Education
Willis was educated at Wesley College, Melbourne, and the University of Melbourne, graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc) in December 1915.Football
University (VFL)
He was a regular player for University in 1912, his first season.Tribunal
He was suspended for four weeks after being reported by a steward for punching Fred Hanson in the match against St Kilda, at the M.C.G. on 18 May 1912.It was the first time in VFL history that a player had been suspended by a steward; and Willis was the only University player to be suspended during the club's VFL existence.
South Melbourne (VFL)
He was cleared from University to South Melbourne in the 1915 pre-season.He captained South Melbourne in the 1921 season.
Pioneer Exhibition Game" (London, October 1916)
He played for the Third Australian Divisional team in the famous "Pioneer Exhibition Game" of Australian Rules football, held in London, on Saturday, 28 October 1916. A news film was taken at the match.Military service
He enlisted in November 1915 and served as a dentist with the Australian Army Medical Corps Dental Detail.He served in France in late 1916, but was gassed, hospitalised and returned to England, taking charge of a dental unit on Salisbury Plain. He rose to the rank of captain in July 1918.