ETCHES, David Edward
| Service Number: | 4463 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Annandale, Leichhardt, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Butcher |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 16 November 1917, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Etaples Military Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Paterson District War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 4463, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: RMS Osterley embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 4463, 3rd Infantry Battalion, RMS Osterley, Sydney | |
| 16 Nov 1917: | Involvement Corporal, 4463, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 4463 awm_unit: 3 Battalion awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1917-11-16 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Yvonne Fletcher
Maitland Weekly Mercury (NSW : 1894 - 1931), Saturday 18 May 1918, page 7
Paterson
A solemn and impressive memorial service was held in St. Paul's Church, Paterson, on Sunday evening, 28th April last, in memory of the late Cpl David Etches, more familiarly known as Sid Webster, who was recently killed in action. The church was draped with flags and a beautiful wreath, the work of Miss Hirst, was suspended in front of the altar. The service was largely attended, and was of a special character. The rector (Canon Hirst), took as his text the first verse of the first chapter of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians 3, and in his remarks touched upon the character of the late corporal. He was, although perhaps considered by many to have a somewhat rough and offhand manner, the possessor of a large heart, and was generous, kind, and sympathetic, and always ready with a willing hand to help anyone in distress. The preacher stated that for this reason, as well as for his honesty and up rightness of character, he had won the esteem of a host of friends, and when asked to hold a memorial service he glady consented, especially as he was assured that a great many of them would attend such a service. There was no question as to his. bravery, for no coward would have been promoted to the rank of a corporal in so short a time, and probably had he lived would have gained further promotion, and perhaps a commission. The rector concluded his remarks by stating that in death, the deceased had received greater promotion, for his great Captain had promoted him to a place with that vast army of heroes who had laid down their lives for a righteous cause. After the service, the beautiful wreath was laid upon the grave of a comrade, Pte. David Matthews, whose mortal remains are lying in the graveyard outside the sacred edifice.