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Harry James Wills (1907–1993)

This article was published:

Harry Wells, n.d.

Harry Wells, n.d.

Harry James Wills (also known as ‘Dealer’ Wells), (1907-1993) boxer, footballer, wharf labourer and trade union official

Birth: 15 March 1907 at St Peters, Sydney, New South Wales, son of native-born parents George (Harry) Wills, also known as ‘Dealer Wells’, (1883-1971), boot finisher, later waterside worker, and his first wife Amaba (Amber) Rose Burton, née Hickey (1885-1917). Marriage: 1 June 1929 at St Michael’s Anglican Church, Wollongong, NSW, to Phyllis Amy Hooper (1910-1972). They had two daughters and two sons. Death: 16 October 1993 in his usual residence, Wollongong Nursing Home, Figree, NSW. 

  • With his father, who was also a noted boxer, he worked on the Sydney waterfront, before his family moved to Wollongong in 1922.
  • In 1930 he was a professional boxer and lived at St Peters, Sydney. Later made numerous comebacks to the ring. He was also a 1st grade rugby league footballer, beginning with Glebe thirds and later playing for Newtown firsts. Continued to play after he moved to the south coast.
  • Wills joined the South Coast branch of the Waterside Workers’ Federation (WWF) in 1937. Was active in the Dalfram dispute in 1938 and battled for the introduction of the roster system in 1939.
  • Worked for two years on the Sydney waterfront in the early 1940s, but his working life was mainly in Wollongong where he was elected president of WWF branch at Port Kembla in 1950. Retained the position until 1971.
  • Life member of the Australian Labor Party.
  • Exceptional sportsman, member of the Wollongong Surf Club, leading boxer, boxing trainer, greyhound trainer and rugby league player.
  • Was president of the local branch of the NSW Greyhound Owners, Breeders and Trainers Association.
  • Cause of death: cardiorespitory arrest (immediately), old age/emaciation (2 months) and senile dementia (7 years).
  • His son, Harry James Wills (b.1932), also known as Harry ‘Dealer’ Wells, played rugby league for Australia and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2016.

Sources
Maritime Worker, 27 February 1973, 9 November 1976, April 1981.

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Citation details

'Wills, Harry James (1907–1993)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/wills-harry-james-35132/text44321, accessed 15 March 2026.

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