The AIF Project

William Henry TONKIES

Regimental number6947
Date of birth4 July 1895
Place of birthMarrickville, New South Wales
SchoolMarrickville Public School, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSoldier
AddressMarrickville, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Next of kinFather, William Tonkies, 19 Fernbank Street, Marrickville, New South Wales
Enlistment date16 February 1917
Rank on enlistmentSergeant
Unit name20th Battalion, 20th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/37/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A16 Port Melbourne on 16 July 1917
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll20th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 25 January 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'During the operation of 8th August 1918, east of VILLERS BRETONNEUX, near AMIENS, the left flank was held up by Machine Gun fire, and the wire in front of the enemy post was very thick. Sergeant TONKIES, accompanied by another N.C.O. managed to get through, rushed the post, killed four of the garrison and took the rest prisoners. During the operation next day he showed a fine example of daring and bravery. He was wounded by shell fire during the attack on RAINECOURT.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109
Date: 15 September 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Wounded in action, 9 August 1918; invalided to England.

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death22 July 1982
Place of burialPalmdale Lawn Cemetery and Memorial Park

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