Ernest William WILLIAMS

Regimental number548
Place of birthBambridge, Co Down, Ireland
SchoolChristian Brothers College, Cork, Ireland
Age on arrival in Australia22
ReligionMethodist
OccupationHorticulturist
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 10.125
Weight152 lbs
Next of kinMrs W F Williams, Frankfield Terrace, Summer Hill South, Cork, Ireland
Enlistment date15 March 1915
Place of enlistmentMildura, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name24th Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/41/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 10 May 1915
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll24th Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour CircularExtract of letter written by his Captain (J. Harry Fletcher) to his mother: " Mrs Williams, Your Son was a fine man, and was as good as he was brave. He was a popular N.C.O. in my Company, and all the men spoke very highly of him. I knew him very well: was with him in Egypt, and fought with him in Gallipoli, and through most of the battles in France. He was always ready and willing when the time came, was brave, fearless and tenderhearted. He led a good clean life and set a good example to the men under him. He is one of the many 'White' men who have laid down their lives in freedom's cause. I wish I could my feelings in better language, but take my thoughts at their highest value and add to these --- you would fall short of my estimation of your son's life and work for 'Home and Empire."' (details from father)
FateKilled in Action 27 March 1918
Place of death or woundingWarneton, Belgium
Age at death from cemetery records27
Place of burialBerks Cemetery Extension (Rosenberg Plateau Plots) (Plot II, Row A, Grave No. 53), Ploegsteert, Belgium
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
103
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: William Thomas and Martha F. WILLIAMS, 10 Frankfield Terrace, Summer Hill South, Cork, Ireland
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 30 August 1915. Disembarked Alexandria from Mudros, 27 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 20 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 26 March 1916.

Admitted to 3rd Field Ambulance, 17 August 1916 (dental abscess); transferred same day to Corps Rest Station, and thence to 12th Field Ambulance (haemorrhoids), and to 4th Casualty Clearing Station; by Ambulance Train to 26th General Hospital, Etaples, 21 August 1916; transferred to No 1 Convalescent Depot, Boulogne, 22 August 1916 (piles); discharged to Base Details (unfit), 22 August 1916. Readmitted to 26th General Hospital (date not recorded); discharged to No 6 Convalescent Depot, 8 September 1916; rejoined Bn, Belgium, 30 September 1916.

Appointed Lance Corporal and attached for duty to 6th Training Bn, England, 21 May 1917. Marched into 6th Training Bn, Rollestone, 27 July 1917. On Command at Lewis Machine Gun School, Tidworth, 14 October. Attended course, 5-27 October 1917: qualified 2nd Class.

Reverted to Lance Corporal, and attached for duty to 6th Training Bn, 8 November 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 14 February 1918; rejoined Bn, 20 February 1918.

Killed in action, Belgium, 27 March 1918.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, WILLIAMS Ernest William