CULTON, William James
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 December 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 40th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Rupanyup, Victoria, Australia, 2 October 1878 |
| Home Town: | Rupanyup, Yarriambiack, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Concordia College, Murton, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Soldier |
| Died: | Killed in action, France, 12 February 1917, aged 38 years |
| Cemetery: |
Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, la Gorgue Plot XI, Row D, Grave No. 27. A DEVOTED SON & BROTHER THY WILL BE DONE |
| Memorials: | Rupanyup "Killed in Action" Roll of Honour, Rupanyup Masonic Lodge No 118 V.C. Great War Roll of Honor, Rupanyup Memorial Hall Great War Honour Roll, Rupanyup Recreation Reserve Memorial Gates, Rupanyup St. Phillip Anglican Church Great War Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 23 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 40th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 40th Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 40th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
William James Culton was the son of Janet Culton and the late William Culton. He was born at Rupanyup, Victoria, and was associated with the area. His father William had passed away in 1903 when he was 25 years of age. The Culton family ran a general store in Rupanyup for many years, by the Culton brothers. The store unfortunately burnt to the ground during July 1915.
William’s younger brother, 5810 Cpl. David John Culton 21st Battalion AIF, was later killed in action in Belgium on 21 September 1917, aged 35.
During his career in Rupanyup William was associated with every movement for the welfare of the district, acting for years as secretary of the Progress League. He was also involved with the Masonic Lodge, lieutenant of the Fire Brigade, and secretary of the Church of England. During 1912 William moved to Tasmania, to manage a large department store, W.T. York and Co, at Zeehan.
William had been for many years a keen soldier, and had been in the Victorian Rangers for 16 years. He had been awarded a Victorian Volunteer Forces Long & Efficient Service Medal. In Tasmania he had joined the 91st Infantry Regiment (CMF).
William enlisted as a Lieutenant in Hobart and was posted to the 40th Battalion AIF. He arrived on the Western Front during November 1916. He was killed in action during a nighttime raid on the German trenches near Armentieres on 12 February 1916. He was seen by a number of witnesses to have been shot near the German wire in No Mans Land. Due to the heavy German fire during the raider’s retirement, his body could no be retrieved for some time. He was buried by the Germans at Loos. After the war his remains were reinterred at Pon-Du-Hem military cemetery.
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