The AIF Project

Harold Edwin WILLIAMSON

Regimental number2796
Place of birthHarkney England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationGroom
AddressUlmara, Clarence River
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinMother, Mrs Kate Williamson, 36 Balcombie Road, Leyton, Essex, England
Enlistment date1 February 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll31 January 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name30th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/47/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on 9 April 1916
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll30th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 10 June 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'At BROODSEINDE RIDGE east of YPRES from 9th to 14th October, 1917, No. 2798 Harold Edwin WILLIAMSON was acting as Battalion linesman, has work being to maintain the lines from Battalion Headquarters to Support Company and to relay signal station on TOKIO RIDGE and back to Brigade Forward Station, a distance of about 1000 yards. It was a difficult task to keep the line open at either place, but y his untiring efforts, this man managed to do so. He had practically no rest at all during the Battalion's stay in the trenches and was often wet to the skin, being called out under the most trying circumstances being utterly oblivious to the enemy's heavy shelling and to the adverse conditions of the mud and weather. Directly the lines were broken he lost no time in getting out to repair them, even in the midst of a heavy barrage, so enabling touch to be kept with Brigade. His splendid example of devotion to duty and disregard of personal safety were noticed by all who came in contact with him, and I consider he is deserving of special recognition.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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