DEVINE, William Melville
| Service Number: | 3323 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 49th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Drayton, Queensland, Australia, 1 October 1895 |
| Home Town: | Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Drayton State School, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Locomotive fireman |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 6 April 1918, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France Plot II, Row J, Grave No. 25. |
| Memorials: | Drayton War Memorial, Toowoomba Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australia (P.A.F.S.O.A.) (1), Toowoomba Roll of Honour WW1, Toowoomba St Stephen's Church WWI Memorial Tablet, Toowoomba St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour, Toowoomba War Memorial (Mothers' Memorial) |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3323, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 3323, 9th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Warilda embarkation_ship_number: A69 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 3323, 9th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Warilda, Brisbane | |
| 29 Feb 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 49th Infantry Battalion | |
| 14 Mar 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 49th Infantry Battalion | |
| 1 May 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 49th Infantry Battalion | |
| 7 May 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 49th Infantry Battalion | |
| 5 Sep 1916: | Honoured Military Medal, Mouquet Farm | |
| 11 Sep 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 49th Infantry Battalion | |
| 14 Jun 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 49th Infantry Battalion | |
| 6 Apr 1918: | Involvement Lieutenant, 49th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 49th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1918-04-06 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
William Melville Devine was the son of William John and Helen Devine, of Toowoomba, Queensland.
A 22-year-old when he died, William Devine enlisted as a 19-year-old. He was a born leader, promoted quickly through the ranks of the 49th Battalion from a Private to a full Lieutenant. He was twice recommended for bravery due to his brilliant use of Lewis Gun detachments during very heavy fighting at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm in 1916. He was awarded a Military Medal.
He was mortally wounded during the fighting at Dernancourt, in which the 49th Battalion distinguished itself by making a heroic counter attack against an extensive German attack on the Australian line.
His death was reported in the Darling Downs Gazette in April 1918, under the heading ‘A BRAVE TOOWOOMBA BOY.’
“The brief notice, of the death of Lieutenant W. Devine, in yesterday’s issue, will, be received with deep regret by hundreds of friends and chums of the brave soldier. To Mr. and Mrs. W. Devine, of Cemetery Lodge, the sympathy of all will be extended in their great loss. Another son is also at the front in France. Lieut. Devine upon joining the forces for the front from two and a-half years ago, quickly attracted the attention of his superiors, and his promotion was rapid. From Private to Corporal, then to Sergeant was quickly followed by his appointment as a commissioned officer. His promotion to the Lieutenancy followed upon one of his brave deeds, as he had already received the military medal and the DSO for military service and conspicuous bravery. He was an expert gunner and his handling of the Lewis gun called forth the highest comment by his superiors.
Mr. and Mrs. W. Devine received the original card forwarded by Major-General Sir H. V. Cox, K.C.M.G., C.S.I., commanding the 4th Australian Division, congratulating their son Sergeant William Devine, of the 49th Batt. upon his gallant conduct while in charge of the Lewis Guns on September 25th near Mouquet Farm in France. This was the second occasion upon which Sergeant Devine had received congratulations on his bravery. On the first occasion, referring to the fight Sergeant Devine stated it was but a picnic as compared with the fight near Mouquet Farm. His Lieutenancy followed soon after this brave act, and these facts add much to the sadness of the news of his death.”
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