VANDERTAK, William Henry
| Service Number: | 574 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 September 1914, Enlisted at Roseberry Park, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | 10th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Tumbarumba, New South Wales, Australia, 16 September 1892 |
| Home Town: | Wagga Wagga, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Auburn, New South Wales, Australia, 14 December 1938, aged 46 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Rookwood General Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia Plot 12, Zone C, Grave 1589. Interred on 16 December 1938 |
| Memorials: | Wagga Wagga Victory Memorial Arch |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Apr 1914: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 574, 13th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, Wound to the thigh and arm | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 574, 13th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Roseberry Park, NSW | |
| 22 Dec 1914: | Involvement Private, 574, 13th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Dec 1914: | Embarked Private, 574, 13th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ulysses, Melbourne | |
| 13 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 10th Field Artillery Brigade , From 13th Battalion | |
| 7 Sep 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Gunner, 574, 10th Field Artillery Brigade , Discharged at the 2nd Military District as medically unfit due to chest wound |
WW1
The details provided are taken from the book "Just Soldiers" written by WO1 Darryl Kelly, published 2004, refer to chapter 32 pages 211-216. William enlisted as a 22 year old and allocated to the 13th Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. He landed at Gallipoli with the Unit in the afternoon of the 25th Apr 1915 and was wounded by grenade fragments on the first night. He was evacuated then sent to the UK for treatment. He returned to the 13th Bn four months later. He was evacuated from Gallipoli with the Unit in Dec 15. During the Army reorganization he transferred to the Artillery. He was promoted to Bombadier, but soon relinquished his rank for personal reasons. March 17 - He went on a leave and overstayed the privilege and found guilty of the charge and was confined to quarters for one day. July 17 - He led a patrol into No Mans Land, and when the patrol returned to base with 2 wounded members he reported to his headquarters to hear officers giving a toast to the birthday of the Kaiser. He attacked one and tore off the rank epaulettes. He was arrested, charged and found guilty of striking an Officer. Sentenced to 5 yrs in military prison. He appealed the decision and it was reduced to 2 years. He tried to escape, but was shot in that attempt. He was sent to hospital to recover, and he was evacuated back to Australia and dishonourably discharged.
In civilian life afterwards he applied for war pensions but was refused due to the dishonourable discharge. He lived until 1938 with this disappointment. His wife Lizzie continued his requests to get medals plus a pension for herself, but these requests were also refused. After her death, her daughter continued requests for medals and eventually in Feb 1978 the requested medals were awarded, and Williams grandson wore them for the first time at Anzac 1978 in the local parade at Ulladulla.
Submitted 15 April 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by Carol Foster
Son of Christian Vandertak and Mary Ann Vandertak nee Wilson of Crampton Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
Commenced return to Australia on 18 March 1918 aboard HT Kanowna under escort disembarking on 24 May 1918.
During 1919c William married Elizabeth (Bessie) Cook in Sydney, NSW