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From Australian Remembrance Army

Gunner Gerben Wielsma (Service No. 59113), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now honoured with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

On 20 September 2025, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 161 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Gerben Wielsma was born on 1 October 1888 in Amsterdam, Holland, to Gerben and Femke Wielsma (née Swolsman). It appears that Gerben first travelled to Australia around 1912. At some stage, he returned to Europe, as records show him sailing from London back to Brisbane aboard the steamer Waipara in March 1916. The ship arrived in Brisbane 63 days later, on 23 June 1916.

In January 1918, the Police Gazette reported that he was an alien of Dutch nationality, who was last heard of at Murwillumbah in October 1917, and had left there without reporting a change of address. This reflected Australia’s wartime policies under the War Precautions Act and Regulations of 1914–18 — Dutch nationals were technically classed as “friendly aliens” (as the Netherlands was neutral) but were still required to register their movements.

Gerben enlisted in the AIF on 10 May 1918 at Sydney, NSW, aged 29. He stated that he was Dutch, with no naturalisation papers, and gave his address as Metropolitan Road, Burwood, NSW. His next of kin was initially recorded as his mother, address unknown, and later amended to Kitty MacMillan, 282 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. He embarked from Sydney on 17 July 1918 aboard HMAT Borda, as part of the 1st to 15th (NSW) Reinforcements.

In July 1918, he disembarked in London and marched in to Fovant, England, where he was mustered as a Gunner. He then joined the Australian Veterinary Hospital in Calais and was later transferred to the 4th Divisional Ammunition Column. In October 1918, he was admitted to hospital with influenza. Soon after, the First World War came to an end.

He was scheduled to return to Australia in June 1919, but his file was marked “Did Not Embark.” He finally returned from England to Australia two months later, on 22 August 1919, aboard HMAT Anchises (A68), arriving in Adelaide on 5 October 1919. He was discharged from the AIF in Sydney on 5 February 1920.

In 1931, Gerben applied to the Australian Government for naturalisation, which was granted the following year, when he was living in Mackay, North Queensland. By 1937, he was residing in Townsville, North Queensland. In 1941, he was recorded as living in Quay Street, Brisbane City, where his occupation was given as wharf labourer. Electoral Rolls for 1943 list him at Red Hill, Brisbane, employed as a waterside worker. On 20 July 1950, at the age of 61, he married Myrtle Linda Johnsen. By 1954, the couple were residing in Mitchelton, Brisbane.

Gunner Gerben Wielsma died on 27 November 1957, and was buried in Anzac Portion 9, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He 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.

His identity and dignity has now been restored.
Lest We Forget