HOUNSHAM, David James
| Service Numbers: | 6580, 6850 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 May 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 11th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Crondall, Hampshire, England, 1890 |
| Home Town: | Busselton, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 23 June 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Longuenesse, Nord Pas de Calais, France, Borre British Cemetery, Hazebrouck, Nord Pas de Calais, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Busselton Cenotaph Victoria Square, Busselton Rotary Park of Remembrance Memorial Walk |
World War 1 Service
| 31 May 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6580, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Nov 1916: | Involvement Private, 6850, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Argyllshire embarkation_ship_number: A8 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Nov 1916: | Embarked Private, 6850, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Argyllshire, Fremantle |
Help us honour David James Hounsham's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Joy Dalgleish
David James Hounsham was born in Crondall, in 1890. He was the son of Henry and Mary Ann Hounsham and in the 1911 Census he was visiting or living with his brother, George, in Guildford. His parents were living in Husseys Lane, Lower Froyle.
On 26th April 1912 he emigrated to Australia, leaving aboard RMS Orvieto, out of London, en route for Freemantle. At the time of his enlistment he had been working as a farm hand, dealing primarily with the horses, on a farm owned by a Mr Samson, called Bramhope Farm, in Busselton, Western Australia.
When he enlisted in Perth on 27th June 1916, his nationality was shown as Australian and he was posted as 6850 Private David Hounsham in the 11th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, 22nd Reinforcements. His service record shows that, after training, he left Freemantle aboard the troop ship Argyllshire, on 9th November 1916, headed for Devonport in the UK. This voyage appears to have taken two months and, soon after arriving in this country on 10th January 1917, he developed bronchitis and was hospitalised. A week later he was discharged, only to be hospitalised again, this time with mumps. Perhaps the sea voyage had taken its toll! Eventually he proceeded overseas on 13th May 1917.
David died on 23rd June 1918 and was laid to rest in the Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery, St Omer, France the following day. St Omer was the location, throughout the war, of the Australian Casualty Clearing Station
Eventually, on 16th December 1918, almost six months after his death, his mother received the letter which hopefully gave her some kind of closure, although I personally feel that it was not the closure she was looking for. The letter read:
Dear Madam,
With reference to the report of the regrettable loss of your son, the late No.6850, Private D J Hounsham, 11th Battalion, I am now in receipt of advice which shows that he was admitted to the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, France, on the 16th June, 1918, suffering with influenza. On the same day he was transferred to the 58th Casualty Clearing Station, France, where he died on the 23rd idem of Acute Nephritus, and was buried at Longuenesse St Omer Souvenir Cemetery, France.
The utmost care and attention is being devoted where possible to the graves of our soldiers. It is understood that photographs are being taken as soon as is possible and these will be transmitted to next-of-kin when available......
Major, Officer i/c Base Records