The AIF Project

William John WADE

Regimental number637
Place of birthRenmark, South Australia
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationHorticulturist
AddressBerri, River Murray, South Australia
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation20
Height5' 7.25"
Weight1511 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs M J Wade, Berri, River Murray, South Australia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date7 July 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll2 July 1915
Place of enlistmentKeswick, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name32nd Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/49/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on 18 November 1915
The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked.
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll32nd Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 15 January 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'During the night attack on July 28/29th astride the BRAY-CORBIE Road, Lance Corporal WADE was conspicuous by his gallantry and initiative under very trying circumstances. During the process of consolidation he moved his Lewis Gun and team forward over a very dangerous portion of ground and succeeded in establishing himself successfully and engaging a Bosche Machine gun which had been causing trouble to his company while consolidating. Although he was subjected to heavy Minenwerfer fire Lance Corporal Wade when blown out of his position collected his team again, took up another position with his gun and continued to keep the Bosche machine gun silent. His personal bravery and courage as well as his cheerfulness and the indefatigable manner in which he did his work was an inspiration to his team and greatly assisted his company in their work. Great praise is due to Lance Corporal WADE for his conduct throughout.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 36
Date: 14 March 1919

Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Adelaide, 15 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 18 December 1915.

Found guilty, Ferry Post, 11 May 1916, of answering back when given an order by an NCO: admonished.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 19 July 1916 (gun shot wound, right foot); admitted to 8th Field Ambulance, 20 July 1916; transferred to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 21 July 1916; to 30th General Hospital, Calais, 21 July 1916; to England, 25 July 1916, and admitted to Grantham War Hospita; taken on strength, 8th Training Bn, Codford, 9 October 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 11 November 1916; rejoined Bn, in the field, 25 November 1916.

Admitted to 14th Field Ambulance, 16 January 1917 (mumps), and transferred to 39th Casualty Clearing Station; to 14th Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, 19 January 1917; to General Hospital, Wimereux, 29 January 1917; to No 1 Convalescent Depot, Wimereux, 5 February 1919; rejoined unit, in the field, 25 February 1917.

Detached to Lewis Gun course, 25 August 1917; rejoined Bn, 10 September 1917.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 1 November 1917.

On leave to United Kingdom, 2 January 1918; rejoined Bn from leave, 15 January 1918.

Appointed Temporary Corporal, 2 August 1918.

Wounded in action (second occasion), 28 August 1918 (gun shot wound, left arm), and reverted to Lance Corporal; admitted to 14th Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred to 41st Casualty Clearing Station; to 5th General Hospital, Rouen, 29 August 1918; to England, 30 August 1918, and admitted to 2/1st Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham, 1 September 1918 (gun shot wound, left arm and shoulder); transferred to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 10 September 1918; discharged on furlough, 2 October 1918, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 16 October 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'City of Exeter', 15 January 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Adelaide, 14 April 1919.

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, WADE William John

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