EBERT, William Henry
| Service Number: | 5340 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 June 1915, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, 28 January 1894 |
| Home Town: | Middle Ridge, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Toowoomba Grammar School, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Fleurbaix, France, 3 June 1916, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Bethune, Nord Pas de Calais LH61 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Toowoomba Gordon Gymnastic & Athletics Club Honour Board, Toowoomba Rangeville State School Pictorial Roll of Honour 2, Toowoomba Roll of Honour WW1, Toowoomba War Memorial (Mothers' Memorial) |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Sep 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Gunner, 5340, 1st Divisional Ammunition Column, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '22' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 27 Sep 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Gunner, 5340, 1st Divisional Ammunition Column, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne | |
| 3 Jun 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Gunner, 5340, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 5340 awm_unit: 2 Field Artillery Brigade awm_rank: Gunner awm_died_date: 1916-06-03 |
Bill Ebert
Bill as everyone called him at that period of time enlisted into the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column on the 8/06/1915. He disembarked for the Gallipoli theatre from Melbourne on the 27/09/15 on the ship H.M.A.T Hororata A20. 10th reinforcement.
In early 1916 he was transfered to the 21st battery within the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade.
From there he was once again transfered to the 102nd howitzer battery within the same 2nd F.A.B.
Bill was K.I.A on the 3.06.1916 by a premature shell explosion on the the onset of the battle of Fromelles. ( Fleurbaix) This is recorded in the 2nd F.A.B war diary dated 3-4.06.16.
At that period of time this was a common occurance and a inquiry was initiated to the effect , eg. shell shortages and misfiring ordanance.
Prior to the war Bill was a champion cyclist winning many sashes ,brooches and trophies. Bill also was a Blacksmith working for the Toowoomba railway.
Submitted 1 June 2015 by rob Haggett
Biography
Father's Name: Joseph Ebert - Mother's Name: Anna Johanna Elizabeth Zirbel
"KILLED IN ACTION. MIDDLE RIDGE BOY.
Mr and Mrs. Ebert of Middle Ridge, have been officially advised that their son, Private W. H. Ebert was killed in action in France on June 1. Private Ebert, who was just over 21 years of age, was attached to the Artillery and had seen service in Gallipoli. He was well known in Toowoomba, and prior to his enlistment was employed at the Toowoomba foundry. He was prominent in sporting circles, having been a member of the Past Grammars Football Club and the Toowoomba Amateur Safety Bicycle Club, and rode with success in cycling events in Toowoomba and Brisbane." - from the Darling Downs Gazette 24 Jun 1916 (nla.gov.au)
"LATE GUNNER W. H. EBERT.KILLED "FIGHTING HIS GUN." OFFICERS' SPLENDID TRIBUTES.
Concerning the late Gunner W. H. Ebert — affectionately known to a large circle in Toowoomba as 'Snowy' Ebert, the crack athlete — the attached tributes from the officers of the battery and adressed to Mr. Joseph Ebert, Ravenscourt-street, show very plainly
that the popular young Anzac played the game just as well at the front as he did on the football field here at home. They read:— In France, 3-6-16. Dear Mr. Ebert, — I am writiiag to you to express the deep sympathy I feel with you and all your family in the loss of your son, who was killed in action to-day, while fighting his gun. I am sure that it will be of some comfort to you to know that his death was quite instantaneous, and that he can have felt absolutely no pain. I am sure I am speaking for the whole battery when I assure you how deeply we all, officers and men alike feel the loss of your son. He was always so cheerful and happy, such a keen and good worker that he was universally liked and respected throughout the battery. I will not attempt to say more on a subject which must be so painful to you, except to once again assure you of my regret and sincere sympathy with you in your great loss — I am, yours sincerely, ALEC M. FORBES, Captain — O.C. 102nd Battery." - from the Darling Downs Gazette 12 Aug 1916 (nla.gov.au)
EBERT.- Gunner W. H. Ebert (Snowy), of Toowoomba, Queensland, killed in action in France, June 3, aged 21, loved friend of Gunner Ted Gaffney and Gunner W. D. May (both on active service in France).
We cannot feel that thou art far, Since near at need the angels are; And when the sunset gates unbar, Shall we not see thee waiting stand, And white against the evening star, The welcome of thy beckoning hand. - (A tribute of love to his memory from his friends, Mrs. J. F. Cole and Muriel.)" - from the Melbourne Argus 18 Sep 1916 (nla.gov.au)
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