David Ernest WILLIAMS

Regimental number1298
Place of birthHay, New South Wales
ReligionMethodist
OccupationSignalman
Address261 Roe Street, Perth, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 5"
Weight145 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Mary Ann Williams, 261 Roe Street, Perth, Western Australia
Enlistment date10 September 1914
Rank on enlistmentDriver
Unit nameField Ambulance 4, Section C
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/47/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board Transport A31 Ajana on 30 December 1914
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll6th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company
FateReturned to Australia 28 February 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Found guilty by Field General Court Martial, 20 August 1915, of (1) When on Active Service, when in Camp, being found beyond the limits fixed by G[eneral] Orders; (2) When on Active Service, committing an offence against a resident in the country [in that he] struck Mr Ruggerio Frisari, a ticket Inspector, Alexandria Tramways: awarded 90 days' Field Punishment No. 2.

Admitted to 4th Field Ambulance. Moascar, 22 January 1916 (gonorrhoea); transferred to No. 1 Australian Stationary Hospital, Ismailia, 22 January 1916; rejoined unit, 2 February 1916. Admitted to 4th Field Ambulance, Moascar, 24 February 1916 (venereal disease), and transferred to New Zealand Auxiliary Hospital, Cairo. Attached to 12th Field Ambulance, 12 April 1916; taken on strength, 19 April 1916. Admitted to No. 1 Australian Dermatolgical Hospital, Abbassia, 15 March 1916 (venereal disease); discharged to Overseas Base, Ghezireh, 7 April 1916. Transferred to 13th Field Ambulance, Serapeum, 19 May 1916.

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 6 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 13 June 1916. Found guilty, 9 June 1916, on board HT 'Oriana', of 'gambling contrary to ship's orders': awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No. 2. Found guilty, 15 June 1916, of 'When on Active Service disobedience of orders': awarded 28 days' Field Punishment No. 2.

Evacuated to Casualty Clearing Station, 6 September 1916 (varicoccle); embarked for England, 12 September 1916, and admitted to East Leeds War Hospital. Transferred to 3rd Australian General Hospital, Brighton, 17 October 1916. Reported to Australian HQ, Westminster, London, 22 September 1916; transferred to No. 1 Command Depot, 13 October 1916. Found guilty, Brighton, 5 November 1916, of conduct prejudicial to good order and Military Discipline in that he on the 5th November 1916 used language to Lt Stewart as to show wilful defiance of authority: awarded 28 days'detention.

Proceeded overseas to France, 22 May 1917; taken on strength, 12th Field Ambulance, 6 June 1917. Found guilty, 7 February 1917 (Brighton) of disobedience of Reg. Orders in that his bed in Hut No. 1 was left in an untidy condition: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No. 2.

Transferred to 6th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company, 16 August 1917. Promoted 2nd Corporal, 17 August 1917. To Paris on leave, 18 November 1917; rejoined unit, 23 November 1917. To England on leave, 2 December 1917. Admitted to No. 1 Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, while on leave, 16 December 1917; transferred to Military Hospital, Parkhouse, 2 March 1918; discharged to duty, 12 April 1917: total period of treatment for venereal disease: 59 days. Admitted to No. 1 ADH, 4 February 1918 (scabies); discharged, 7 February 1918; marched in to No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 9 February 1918; proceeded overseas to France, 30 April 1918; rejoined unit, 4 May 1918. To Paris on leave, 21 September 1918; rejoined unit, 28 September 1918. Transferred to Administrative HQ for furlough to Australia, 29 September 1918. Granted special leave 1914, expiring 27 January 1919; extended to 28 January 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Anchises', 28 February 1919; disembarked Albany, 7 April 1919; discharged, 25 April 1919.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal