The AIF Project

Ernest Spencer WILLOTT

Regimental number288
Place of birthMacclesfield, Cheshire, England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSchoolmaster
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation26
Height5' 11"
Weight168 lbs
Next of kinJohn Willott, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England
Previous military serviceServed for 1.5 years, 7th Regiment; 2 years as 2nd Lt in the Territorial Force, New Zealand.
Enlistment date19 August 1914
Place of enlistmentToowoomba, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentSergeant
Unit name2nd Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron
AWM Embarkation Roll number10/7/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board Transport A15 Star of England on 24 September 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll1st Light Horse Regiment
FateReturned to Australia 1 November 1919
Discharge date28 April 1920
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 9 May 1915.

Admitted to hospital, Gallipoli, 31 August 1915; transferred to St John's Hospital, Malta, 10 September 1915 (dysentery); to Ghain Tuffeha Convalescent Camp, 20 September 1915; to England, 29 March 1916, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, 4 April 1916; discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth (date not recorded); marched in to Command Depot, Perham Downs, from Weymouth, 28 June 1916.

Transferred to 3rd Division Artillery, 11 November 1916.

Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 18 November 1916.

Marched in to 9th Field Artillery Brigade, 21 November 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 30 December 1916.

Transferred to 7th Field Artillery Brigade, 6 January 1917, and posted to 107th Battery, in the field.

Transferred to 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column, 18 February 1917.

Promoted Lieutenant, 16 May 1917.

Transferred to 4th Divisional Ammunition Column, 14 June 1917.

Detached to Anzac Provost Corps, 19 April 1917.

Transferred to 4th Division Artillery, 14 June 1917.

Transferred to 11th Field Artillery Brigade, 8 August 1917, and posted to 41st Battery, Belgium.

Admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 12 October 1917 (pyrexia, unknown origin); transferred to 14th General Hospital, Boulogne, 13 October 1917 (trench fever); to England, 24 October 1917, and admitted same day to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth (trench fever: slight); discharged to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 22 November 1917. Marched in to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 11 December 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 23 December 1917; rejoined 11th Field Artillery Brigade, in the field, 1 January 1918.

Wounded in action, 12 June 1918 (gas: mustard shell), and admitted to 12th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to 20th Red Cross Hospital, Rouen, 18 June 1918; to England, 20 June 1918, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, 21 June 1918 (gassed: severe); discharged to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 15 August 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 26 August 1918; rejoined unit, 1 September 1918, and resumed Regimental duties.

Marched out to England, 20 January 1919.

Granted leave of absence, 25 January-30 September 1919, with pay and subsistence allowance, and additional fee of £20: Non-Military Employment: to complete course at Leeds University for degree of BA.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Nestor', 1 November 1919; appointment terminated (discharged), Brisbane, 28 April 1920.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, WILLOTT Ernest Spencer

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