HAIN, William James
| Service Number: | 6808 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 April 1917, Sydney, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 17th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Cooma, New South Wales, Australia, 1897 |
| Home Town: | Haberfield, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Sydney Technical High School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Warehouseman |
| Memorials: | Sydney Technical High School WW1 Roll Of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Apr 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6808, 17th Infantry Battalion, Sydney, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Jun 1917: | Involvement Private, 6808, 17th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Beltana embarkation_ship_number: A72 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Jun 1917: | Embarked Private, 6808, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Beltana, Sydney |
Help us honour William James Hain's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of William Hain, 169 Bland Street, Haberfield, New South Wales
Biography contributed by Sydney Technical High School
William James Hain was born in Cooma, New South Wales, in 1897, (1). His parents, William and Isabella Hain, raised him alongside his seven siblings at 169 Bland Street, Haberfield, NSW. (2) The Hain family had deep roots in Australia, residing there 35 years before William James Hain’s birth. William's grandparents, George Hain and Emma Knight Lawrence, migrated from Norton Sub Hamdon, Somerset, England, to Cooma in the 1860s. (3)
James Hain attended Sydney Technical High. (4) He wasn’t the most academically gifted student as his academic records from class 1F in 1912 indicated a total score of 523.5 whereas the median mark was around the 600 to 610 range. (5) Despite this he still obtained his Qualifying Certificate. (6) After graduating, the same year he continued work as a warehouseman, before the outbreak of the First World War. (7)
William James Hain enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on April 17, 1917, at age 20, evidently seen in his enlistment papers archived at the National Archives of Australia. (8) He embarked on his military journey on June 16, 1917, aboard the HMAT A72 Beltana, setting sail from Australia to Plymouth, England, arriving on August 25, 1917, and marching into the 5th Training Battalion, Rollestone. (9) The training records of the 5th Training Battalion records showed that all soldiers prepared thoroughly for the harshities facing trench warfare on the Western Front. As a Private on the Western Front, William experienced these harsh realities of trench warfare and participated in many significant campaigns and battles. (10) Following his training, Hain was deployed overseas to France on March 12, 1918, as part of the 17th Battalion. (11)
One of the most significant campaigns in which Hain participated was the Battle of Amiens, beginning on August 8, 1918. (12) This battle marked a turning point in the war, as it was the beginning when the Allied forces broke through German lines, leading to a retreat that would continue until the war's end. The 17th Battalion, including Hain, advanced through enemy positions, engaging in fierce combat, and achieving substantial gains against the German positions. (13) Hain’s bravery and dedication were particularly evident during his service where two days later on August 10, 1918, Hain fought at Bois de Crepy and was recommended for the Military Medal, (14) where he was recognised for his courage and commitment to his fellow soldiers under intense combat conditions. This showed signs of endurance, courage, ingenuity, and mateship all clear signs of the ANZAC spirit.
Hain survived the war, returning to Australia on June 19, 1919. (15) His transition back to civilian life was marked by significant personal milestones. A few years later on March 17th, 1923, he married Lizzie Ella Darnley at All Souls Church in Leichhardt, Sydney. (16) They both established a family giving birth to two children: Margaret Edith Hain, born on February 26, 1924, and David William Hain, born on June 1, 1926. (17) Hain’s service to the military continued when he enlisted for the Australian Military Forces (WW2), as a Staff Sergeant (N172525), On March 25, 1942. (18)
William James Hain passed away on January 28, 1972, at St. Leonards, NSW. (19)
References:
Naa.gov.au. (2015). Session expired | RecordSearch | National Archives of Australia. [online] Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=4265838&isAv=N
Vwma.org.au. (2024). William James HAIN. [online] Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/144705.
Ancestry.com. (2021). William James Hain, b.1898 d.1972 - Ancestry®. [online] Available at: https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/william-james-hain-24-4s0flb
Iwm.org.uk. (2024). Life story: William James Hain | Lives of the First World War. [online] Available at: https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7453904
Dearnley.com. (2024). Dearnley / Dearnaley +++ - person page. [online] Available at: https://familytree.dearnley.com/reports/g0/p878.htm#i8775
Tinyurl.com. (2024). Redirect Notice. [online] Available at: https://tinyurl.com/y8smuxuv
Adfa.edu.au. (2024). Details. [online] Available at: https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=122430
Awm.gov.au. (2024). AWM4 23/34/37 - August 1918. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1356706
www.awm.gov.au. (n.d.). 17th Australian Infantry Battalion. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51457.
Forces War Records (2015). Hain, William James - Forces War Records - AUS, WWI Service Records, 1914-1920. [online] Forces War Records. Available at: https://au.forceswarrecords.com/file/410501150/hain-william-james-aus-wwi-service-records-1914-1920?terms=james
Nsw.gov.au. (2024). Private William James Hain | NSW War Memorials Register. [online] Available at: https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/private-william-james-hain
Click images to start slideshow.