The AIF Project

William James CARRUTHERS

Regimental number5064
Place of birthMilang, South Australia
ReligionMethodist
OccupationLabourer
AddressWirrabra, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Height5' 6.5"
Weight118 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Caroline Carruthers, Wirrabra, South Australia
Previous military serviceNil (exempt area under Compulsory Military Training scheme)
Enlistment date28 January 1916
Place of enlistmentAdelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name10th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/27/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 11 April 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll10th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 16 June 1919
Age at death from cemetery records22
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
58
Other details

War service: Western Front

Proceeded overseas to France from 3rd Training Bn, Perham Downs, England, 5 September 1916; taken on strength, 10th Bn, in the field, 19 September 1916.

Admitted to 8th Australian Field Ambulance, 30 November 1916 (sore feet); transferred to Stationary Hospital, Rouen, 6 December 1916 (suspected dysentery); transferred to England, 24 December 1916, and admitted to University War Hospital, Southampton, 25 December 1916 (dysentery: slight); transferred to Bardon-on-Sea Hospital, New Milton, 23 March 1917; discharged on furlough, 3 April 1917, to report to Administrative Headquarters, Horseferry Road, London, 18 April 1917.

Classified B.1.A.3, 19 April 1917; reclassified B.1.A.4, 27 April 1917.

Transferred to 70th Bn, Wareham, 1 May 1917.

Admitted to 17th Field Ambulance, Windmill Hill, 30 August 1917 (scabies); discharged to Training Depot, 3 September 1917, and marched in to 70th Bn.

Marched out to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 18 October 1917.

Classified B.1.A.4, 25 October 1917.

Marched in to 13th Training Bn, Sutton Veny, 2 November 1917.

Marched out to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 30 November 1917.

Classified A.3, 2 December 1917.

Marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 12 December 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 10 January 1918; rejoined 10th Bn, in the field, 15 January 1918.

On leave to United Kingdom, 20 December 1918; rejoined Bn, 11 January 1919.

On leave to Paris, 26 February 1919; rejoined Bn from leave, 11 March 1919.

Embabarked for England for return to Australia, 24 April 1919; marched in to No 1 Group, Longbridge Deverill, 25 April 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Ormonde', 16 June 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 29 July 1919; due to be discharged (termination of period of enlistment), 9 October 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Died of heart failure (effects of gas), 9 September 1919.

Father, David Carruthers, wrote to War Graves Commission, 13 September 1920: 'I wrote to you some time ago asking you to kindly help me to put up a stone to the memory of my dear son William James Carruthers ... who died suddenly at Hart, S.A. September 9th 1919. Sir, please to reply & let me know if you can help me as I am to (sic) poor to put one up myself.'

Father wrote again, 14 March 1921: 'I would you kindly let me know (sic) if the government can help me to put up a head stone to my dear son, As I am to (sic) poor to do the lot if I could get help I would be thankful to you as he was one of the best. He died suddenly at Hart S.A. ... & he was buried there & no stone or cross over him to let anyone know who lies there. Please to help me to honnor (sic) him.'
Date of death9 September 1919
Place of burialBrinkworth Cemetery, South Australia
SourcesNAA: B2455, CARRUTHERS William James

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