William John Wills (1834–1861) was a British surveyor and assistant surgeon who is best remembered as the second-in-command of the historic Burke and Wills expedition. Born in Devon, England, Wills immigrated to Australia in 1853, where he worked as a surveyor and later joined the staff of the Melbourne Observatory. His scientific training and meticulous nature made him an ideal choice for astronomical and meteorological observations during inland exploration.\n\nIn 1860, Wills was appointed to the Victorian Exploring Expedition, led by Robert O'Hara Burke. The venture aimed to achieve the first south-to-north crossing of the Australian continent, traveling from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Wills was promoted to second-in-command during the journey. Although a small party successfully reached the northern tidal flats in early 1861, the return journey was plagued by delays, miscommunication, and harsh conditions. Both Burke and Wills ultimately perished from exhaustion and starvation in the Australian outback.\n\nThroughout the grueling journey, Wills kept a detailed field journal, recording geographical observations, meteorological data, and the tragic final weeks of the expedition. His journals, which were recovered after his death, provided a vital and poignant record of the expedition's achievements and struggles. These writings remain a significant historical document of Australian exploration, offering insight into the continent's interior and the psychological toll of the ill-fated journey.
