William Henry GOULD

GOULD, William Henry

Service Number: 879
Enlisted: 8 March 1916, An original of C Company
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 37th Infantry Battalion
Born: Benalla, Victoria, Australia, 1894
Home Town: Winton, Benalla, Victoria
Schooling: North Winton State School, Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Farm labourer
Died: Killed in Action, France, 28 January 1917
Cemetery: Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres
Plot III, row E, Grave No. 3, Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Benalla War Memorial
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World War 1 Service

8 Mar 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 879, 37th Infantry Battalion, An original of C Company
3 Jun 1916: Involvement Private, 879, 37th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: ''
3 Jun 1916: Embarked Private, 879, 37th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Persic, Melbourne

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Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks

From his Red Cross Wounded and Missing file numerous witnesses stated Gould was killed in action during a raid on the German trenches at Houplines by the 37th Battalion on 28 January 1917. The wire was not cut and casualties were heavy, the enemy machine guns opened fire whilst the raiders were trying to get over the wire and they did not get into the enemy trenches. 13 men from the unit were killed during this raid. Gould’s body was retrieved from no mans land some weeks after the raid.

Benalla Standard (Vic.) 1 May 1917. 'A wristlet watch, tbe property of the late Private Henry Gould, unexpectedly came into the possession of his parents a few days ago. Prior to leaving the trench on the night he met his death he handed his watch to a comrade, requesting him to keep it for him until he returned. The comrade, evidently aware of Private Gould's death, nobly fulfilled his trust by forwarding the watch on to tbe deoeased soldier's parents at North Winton. It is needless to add that the family were pleased to receive the watch, which is doubtless highly treasured.'

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