Noted for being the second-in-command of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition, which was the first to cross Australia from south to north, but resulted in the deaths of several team members, including his own.
William John Wills, a British surveyor and surgeon, etched his name in the annals of history as the second-in-command of the Burke and Wills expedition, the first to cross Australia from south to north. This perilous journey, which found a route across the continent from Victoria to the Gulf of Carpentaria, will forever be remembered as a testament to Wills' unwavering spirit and unrelenting thirst for discovery.
Wills was born on January 5, 1834, in Totnes, Devon, England, to William and Sarah Mary Elizabeth Wills. The second of seven children, Wills faced an early setback when a childhood fever left him with slow and hesitating speech. Despite this, he received home tutoring from his father until the age of 11, followed by attendance at St Andrews Grammar School in Ashburton from 1845 to 1850. He then apprenticed under his father's surgical practice and later studied practical chemistry under John Stenhouse at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London in 1852.
In 1852, Wills invested in the Melbourne Gold Mining Company, planning to migrate to Australia with his wife Sarah and sons William and Thomas. However, when his wife objected to his departure, Wills delayed his plans, and the two boys sailed to Australia alone, arriving in Melbourne on January 3, 1853. The brothers found accommodation at the Immigrants Home in South Melbourne and soon found work as shepherds.
In 1860, Wills joined the Burke and Wills expedition, led by Robert O'Hara Burke, with the goal of crossing Australia from south to north. The expedition faced numerous challenges, including treacherous terrain, harsh weather conditions, and scarcity of supplies. Despite these obstacles, Wills' expertise as a surveyor and surgeon proved invaluable to the expedition's progress.
As the expedition began its return journey, Wills and Burke became stranded in the Australian outback, facing severe hunger and exhaustion. On June 28, 1861, Wills died alongside Burke, his body weakened by the relentless hardships of the expedition. The news of their tragic fate sent shockwaves throughout Australia and the world, cementing Wills' legacy as a brave and intrepid explorer.
Wills' contributions to the Burke and Wills expedition paved the way for future explorers and opened up new possibilities for the development of Australia. His unwavering dedication to the expedition, even in the face of insurmountable challenges, has inspired generations to come. Wills' remarkable story serves as a testament to the power of human spirit and the unrelenting pursuit of discovery.
Born in 1815
A Scottish explorer and surveyor who led the first successful expedition to cross Australia from south to north, opening up the continent to further exploration and settlement.
Born in 1813
A German-born explorer who led several expeditions in Australia, mapping new territories and discovering natural wonders, including the discovery of the Darling River.
Born in 1818
Led expeditions to explore and map Australia's coastline and interior, particularly in Queensland, and was the first European to venture into the Cape York Peninsula. He disappeared on an ill-fated expedition in 1848.
Born in 1812
A Portuguese-New Zealand soldier, explorer, and politician who served as the 11th Prime Minister of New Zealand, known for his governance and exploration of the country. He played a significant role in shaping New Zealand's early history.
