Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The details provided are taken from the book "Just Soldiers" written by WO1 Darryl Kelly, published 2004. Refer Chapter 37 pages 245 - 251. An incredible story. Charles Henry WILLIAMSON was born in Britain, and in his youth had served with the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, before transferring to the Coldstream Guards. He served in a number of postings overseas, including time at the Boer War. The Boer war finished May 1902 and back into boring peace soldiering. He was discharged from the Guards, and soon after he joined the French Foreign Legion. His Unit was sent to Abyssinia, and in that action he was awarded the French medal, Medaille Militaire. When WW1 was declared the French Unit was sent to help the allied effort and it landed at Cape Hellas. He absconded from there, and walked northwards eventually contacting the Australian forces at Gallipoli - and he commenced service with 3rd Battalion AIF, and was formally being enlisted with them 1st July 1915 - the only overseas enlistment in the war. He was with the Unit at Lone Pine 6th Aug when he was wounded in the leg and evacuated to Cairo for treatment. He rejoined the 3rd Bn in Mid Sept. Later, during a rest period he caused trouble and his punishment was to be sent back to the French force. He was Court Martialled for desertion and sentenced to death by firing squad. At that time he was recognized by an Officer of the Coldstream Guards who persuaded the French to hand him over as a deserter from them, but he returned Charles to the Australians. But the French still wanted to shoot him as a deserter, so Charles was transferred out of Gallipoli and posted to the 6th Mule Transport Battalion at Salonika. After the Army evacuation of Gallipoli, Charles was again attached to the 3rd Bn in Cairo, and when the Army re-org happened he was attached to the 55th Infantry Bn, promoted to Sgt and helped to train the new soldiers. April 1916 saw him again hospitalised with pulmonary tuberculosis. 5 July 16, he was to be evacuated to Australia, he protested that he was British so he should be evacuated to the UK, but he was sent back to Aust anyway where he was discharged.
During Nov 1916, he was still sick with the TB, but he re-enlisted with the surname of WILLIAMS. He was sent back to the Western Front via the UK with the reinforcements for the 46th Infantry Bn. He was in trouble with the Army while in the UK because the training was too easy for him. He was again Court Martialled and sentenced to 6 months detention which was reduced to one month after his appeal. When released, back with the 46th Bn, and soon promoted to Corporal. More battles at the front, then a rest period and more trouble with drunkenness and bad language - demotion to Private. May 1918 he was transferred to the 45th Bn which was serving alongside a French Battalion. He knew one particular French Officer, and when that Unit went into a big battle and that Officer did not return Charles went into No Mans Land with stretchers and brought many wounded and dead French soldiers back to their HQ. Eventually, his luck ran out, and he was later found slumped over a French Officer - shot by a sniper. The Commanding Officer of the French awarded Charles a Croix de Guerre and demanded that the Australian forces award him a similar award, which then became the Military Medal for bravery in the Field.
His Military adventurous spirit had been squashed forever. Rest In Peace. Lest We Forget.