WILSON, Howard Rupert
| Service Number: | 211 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 July 1915, Keswick, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Mount Gambier, South Australia, 4 May 1892 |
| Home Town: | Mount Gambier, Mount Gambier, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Mount Gambier State School |
| Occupation: | Telephone Mechanic |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Fleurbaix, France, 20 July 1916, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
VC Corner Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, France Panel 6 , VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Adelaide Postmaster General's Department WWI Honour Board , Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Postmaster General's Department Adelaide, V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Keswick, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 211, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 211, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Geelong, Adelaide | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 32nd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) |
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"Telegrams have also been received that Private H. Rupert Wilson, son of the late Capt. Howard Wilson, and Mrs. Wilson, of "Lakeside," Mount Gambler; and Private Melville Hull, son of Mr. Alf. Hull, and the late Mrs. Hall, of Mount Gambier, are missing. They were both attached to the 32nd Battalion." - from the Mt Gambier Border Watch 02 Sep 1916 (nla.gov.au)
"Word has been received that Private H. Rupert Wilson, who was reported as missing, is really a prisoner in Germany. Although this is not very pleasant news, still it is much better than some people anticipated." - from the Mt Gambier Border Watch 16 Sep 1916 (nla.gov.au)
"PRIV. H. RUPERT WILSON.
Some weeks ago, Mrs. H. Wilson, of Lakeside, received word that her son, Priv. H. Rupert Wilson, was missing in France. An enquiry was set on foot through the "British Australian," an English paper that takes a great deal of interest in the whereabouts of Australian soldiers. An advertisement was inserted in its columns, with the result that word has been received by Mrs. Wilson that a private named Clack saw Priv. Wilson dead in a shell crater after the battle in which he was reported missing. Mrs. Wilson and family will have the sympathy of many friends in their bereavement." - from the Mt Gambier Border Watch 10 Jan 1917 (nla.gov.au)
"...211 Private Howard Rupert Wilson, 32nd Battalion. A telephone mechanic from Mount Gambier, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked from Adelaide aboard HMAT Geelong on 18 November 1915 for Suez. His battalion relocated to the Western Front, France, in June 1916. Pte Wilson was reported as missing in action on 20 July 1916 during the Battle of Fromelles and was subsequently confirmed to be killed in action on that date. He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, France. He was aged 24 years." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Eye witness report:
He was of A Company, III Platoon. At Fleurbaix on 20th July 1916 during our attack was killed outright. Shot through head. This happened just as we had gone over and had got about 30 yards. I was alongside him when he fell. His body would be left on the field
18 December 1915 - Disembarked Suez
29 May 1916 - Admitted to 8th Field Ambulance (deafness);
30 May 1915 - Discharged to unit
5 June 1916 - Rejoined unit
17 June 1916 - Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force
23 June 1916 - Disembarked Marseilles, France
Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
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