HUTCHINGS, William Harry
| Service Number: | 380 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 September 1914, An original of A Company |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Kent, England, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Butcher |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 380, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), An original of A Company | |
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| 22 Dec 1914: | Involvement Private, 380, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Dec 1914: | Embarked Private, 380, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), HMAT Ceramic, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
William Harry Hutchings served at the Landing on Gallipoli and survived until evacuated with gastric enteritis during August 1915. He was wounded at Bullecourt in April 1917 when hit by shrapnel in the arm and leg. Hutchings was awarded an MM for his work during the Battle of Polygon Wood in Belgium. He was in charge of a Platoon during the battle on the 26 September 1917, near Zonnebeke. He led the platoon with the utmost gallantry and initiative. During the attack he led his men and during the consolidation of the Red Line, he was everywhere, urging and encouraging the men to do their utmost. He also found time to attend to the wounded. During the attack he alone accounted for several Germans who he killed, and took some six prisoners. He was badly enough wounded to be evacuated to England with shrapnel wounds to his thigh.
Returning to his unit during May 1918 he was wounded in action for a third time during June 1918 by shrapnel in the elbow, but stayed at Rouen in France until recovered.
Hutchings was awarded a Bar to the Military Medal for bravery in the field on the 8 August 1918, near Morcourt. Just after the start of an attack by the Australians, Hutchings Platoon Commander became a casualty. He handled his men brilliantly and displayed great personal courage. His Platoon captured a great many prisoners and a machine gun. Hutchings singlehandedly attacked a group of eight German soldiers, killing four and taking the other four prisoners. He returned to Australia during June 1919, with an English born wife.