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Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Driver William Henry Roots (Service No. 2094), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

On 15 April 2023, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

William Henry Roots (Service No. 2094) was born on 1 May 1889 in Gympie, Queensland, to William Roots and Margaret Mary Roots (née Barton).

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane on 26 November 1915, aged 26, stating his occupation as labourer and naming his mother as his next of kin. He joined the 1st Field Artillery Brigade, 12th Reinforcements, and embarked for overseas service aboard HMAT Wandilla (A62) from Brisbane on 31 January 1916.

After arriving in Egypt, he was posted to the 11th Field Artillery Brigade, later serving with the 44th Battery. He began as a Gunner, and by August 1916 was serving as a Driver. In December 1916, he was admitted to hospital with rheumatism and myalgia, and on 18 January 1917 was evacuated from France aboard the hospital ship Carisbrooke Castle, suffering from influenza.

While in hospital, he wrote home to his parents—a letter later published in the Gympie Times and Mining Gazette in March 1917—describing his experiences in France, the harsh winter conditions, and the “lively times” faced by drivers under fire. He wrote optimistically that he hoped “next spring we will be able to dish old Fritz”:
“I have been in the hospital for three weeks and am getting on well now. It will not be long before I am out. I had a frostbitten toe, and some dirt poisoned it. I spent a very good Christmas; everyone in the hospital got a parcel each which contained nice things that were just wanted. I can stand snow and cold all right, but we feel it badly when sleet comes on. I have seen some good fights—one could not hear anything for the noise of the guns. The drivers have some lively times with the horses when the guns go off alongside them. All the fighting is mostly done at night. I met Pierce Aspinall the night before I came into the hospital. He is doing well and sends regards to all friends. I don’t think the war will last long now. I think that next spring we will be able to dish old Fritz.”

Diagnosed with atrophy of the right thigh muscle, he was medically discharged and embarked from England on 25 July 1918 arriving in Brisbane on 27 September 1918. He was formally discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 8 October 1918.

Following his return to Australia, he lived at Long Flat, Gympie, working as a labourer, and later in Fortitude Valley during the 1920s, where his occupation was listed as miner.

Driver William Henry Roots died on 28 December 1943, aged 54, and was buried the following day in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery. He was a single man who had no known children.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.