Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Elisha Williams was born in Kadina, South Australia, 1893. Elisha was 5 foot 7 1/4 and weighed 161 pounds. He lived in Kadina for most of his early life. Prior to his enlistment he worked as an Engine Cleaner for the SA Railways.  His next of kin was Elisha Williams, senior (his dad) who resided in Yatina.

At the age of 22 years and 5 months, Elisha enlisted on June 15th 1915 in Keswick, South Australia, joining the 10th Battalion of the AIF. After his initial training in Keswick he was deployed overseas where he experienced some of the strongest battles of the Western Front

In 1916, the 10th Battalion were sent to the Western Front in France and Belgium. The battalion played a key role in several significant battles, including the Somme Campaign and the Battle of Pozieres, where trench warfare and brutal combat defined the experience for soldiers like Elisha.

Private Williams displayed remarkable bravery during the Battle of Bullecourt in 1917, where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). Despite being wounded, Elisha continued to send out S.O.S. signals, a critical act of communication that helped his unit survive under intense enemy fire. His ability to maintain his duties under such awful circumstances demonstrated the ANZAC Spirit, portrayed by courage, endurance, mateship, and self-sacrifice. His dedication to his comrades and his determination, despite injury, earned him recognition and admiration from both his fellow soldiers and military leadership

During the service, Elisha Williams participated in numerous combats at the Western Front. In the year 1917, he had taken part in the Battle of Menin Road and Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. He endured a five-month recovery period due to injuries but rejoined his battalion in August 1917 and remained worthy in service until the last year of the war.

The latter years of the war saw Elisha on leave in the UK during the early part of 1918 before embarking on the Amiens Offensive-a key allied counterattack that was resoundingly to ensure the defeat of the German forces. His battalion also participated in the Hindenburg Line, a final offensive that would bring about the defeat of Germany.

After all these fights has occurred  he was than granted another leave from France to the UK, this highly reflects the importance of mental after intense combat he then rejoined the battalion he was originally involved in.

Promoted to two battle ranks on January 18, 1919, Private Williams returned home to Australia aboard the Suffolk on May 31, 1919, after almost four years of dedicated service. His experiences, courage, and contributions to the war effort were recognised not only through his medals but also in the lasting memory of the ANZAC spirit he embodied.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ON ACTIVE SERVICE. - Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) - 16 Feb 1918 2014, Trove, Trove, viewed 23 September 2024, <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/87544366>.
 

Elisha Williams Williams 2024, Awm.gov.au, viewed 23 September 2024, <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1599020>.
 

Pearson-Intl.com, 2021, reader-sin-prod.gls.pearson-intl.com/product/5a1c8c20bfdd5051821683b1.

Elisha (Ted) WILLIAMS DCM 2024, Vwma.org.au, viewed 23 September 2024, <https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/196288>.

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Lance Corporal Elisha Williams 2024, Awm.gov.au, viewed 23 September 2024, <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10801623>.
 

Terrace, V 2024, View digital copy, Naa.gov.au, viewed 23 September 2024, <https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1806648>.

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