ROLES, William James
| Service Number: | 9494 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column |
| Born: | Deloraine, Tasmania, Australia, 28 July 1892 |
| Home Town: | Carrick, Meander Valley, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Carrick State School, Tasmania, Australia |
| Occupation: | Horseman |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 22 December 1916, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte Plot II, Row G, Grave No. 18. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Carrick Memorial Wall Honour Roll, Westbury War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 22 Nov 1915: | Involvement Gunner, 9494, 6th Field Artillery Brigade , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Nov 1915: | Embarked Gunner, 9494, 6th Field Artillery Brigade , HMAT Persic, Melbourne | |
| 18 Sep 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Driver, 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column | |
| 21 Dec 1916: | Involvement Driver, 9494, 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 9494 awm_unit: 2nd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column awm_rank: Driver awm_died_date: 1916-12-21 |
Help us honour William James Roles's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
William was the son of Harry and Nellie Roles of Carrick, Tasmania. He gave his occupation as a horseman and enlisted as a driver in the Field Artillery. His father was a famous veteran jockey, who won many races in Tasmania on the flat and over hurdles. He was said to have been one of the finest horsemen who figured on the turf in Tasmania.
William himself was only five foot three inches on enlistment. He was badly wounded on the 19 December 1916, a shrapnel wound to the side, and died two days later in the British 34th Casualty Clearing Station.
His younger brother, 302 Pte Leslie Horace Roles, 12th Battalion AIF, who enlisted when he was still 16 years of age, was killed in action four months later on 15 April 1917.
A mate, Private Ivo Page wrote to his parents and the letter was published in the Launceston Examiner. ‘You will have heard before this reaches you that your son "Bill" has died of wounds received in action. Knowing him so well, and being my dug-out companion for nearly three months, I will tell you what few details I can of his death. It was a very unfortunate occurrence, and I feel for you all very much, having lost my own brother out here some months ago. I understand Bill was wounded in three places—the lung, arm, and stomach. He was on his way back from the gun pits, having gone out with a load of ammunition in the morning. I did not see him after he was wounded, as he was taken directly to a hospital, and everything possible done for him. You will be pleased to know he has seen his young brother, and did so the day before he was wounded, as they were quite close to each other at the time. Bill was making arrangements only the day before to claim his brother from the infantry, as he is far too young to have to shoulder a pack. He has gone, poor chap, but is not forgotten. He was clean-living, and ever willing to do his duty, which he did, and has left a good name behind him, and died the bravest and best death that a man could, for his King and country. I do not think a man can do more than that. I will do anything I can to keep watch over his young brother, and help him in any way I can.’
Click images to start slideshow.