William James WILSON

Regimental number1963
Place of birthBelfast, Co Antrim, Ireland
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationHospital attendant
AddressKenmore Hospital, Goulburn, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Height5' 8.5"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinSister, Mrs Elizabeth Wilson, Little Ballymeno, Ballynure, Co Antrim, Ireland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date4 August 1915
Place of enlistmentGoulburn, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name6th Light Horse Regiment, 13th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number10/11/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 20 December 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll6th Field Artillery Brigade
FateReturned to Australia 27 April 1919
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'At Saint Souplet on 17 October, 1918, he was with a patrol under an officer on a forward reconnaissance. While the party were advancing with the infantry through enemy barrage he was wounded, and the other two men incapacitated by wounds. He assisted in carrying them a considerable distance through the barrage, and assisted his officer in his reconnaissance, returning with him to the battery, and afterwards carrying out his duties on his gun throughout the day's fighting. He showed marked gallantry and devotion to duty.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 20
Date: 19 February 1920

Military Medal


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109
Date: 15 September 1919

Discharge date4 August 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Maadi, 17 January 1916. Transferred to 25th Howitzer Brigade and posted to 114th Battery, 1 March 1916.

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 25 June 1916. Transferred to 115th Battery, 7 July 1916.

Transferred to 6th Field Artillery Brigade, 3 April 1917, and posted to 106th Battery.

On leave to United Kingdom, 26 July 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 6 August 1917.

Wounded in action, 6 November 1917 (shrapnel wound, thigh and head), and admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance; transferred same day to 17th Casualty Clearing Station; thence to 14th General Hospital, Boulogne, 7 November 1917; transferred to 1st Convalescent Depot, 12 November 1917; to 3rd Rest Camp, 20 November 1917; rejoined unit, 4 December 1917.

Appointed Acting Bombardier, 25 September 1917; Temporary Bombardier, 8 August 1918.

On leave to the United Kingdom, 12 September 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 30 September 1918.

Wounded in action, 17 October 1918; remained at duty.

Promoted Bombardier, 8 November 1918.

Awarded Military Medal.

Promoted Temporary Corporal, 20 December 1918.

Marched out to England for return to Australia, and reverted to Bombardier, 17 February 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Runic', 27 April 1919; disembarked, Melbourne, 20 June 1919, for onward travel by rail to Sydney; discharged, 4 August 1919.

Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, WILSON William James