Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Wilson’s life began in 1896, born as the eldest son to Ernest J. Wilson and Louisa Wilson in Leichhardt NSW¹, later followed by four younger siblings, a sister and three brothers. His family was Baptist and hence he likely contributed to his community in a variety of ways via church organised initiatives and events. He grew up at ‘Craigside’, Chilton Road, Willoughby and attended the local public school with his siblings, Alan Victor, Leslie Roy and Eric Morrow, but notably his sister, Hazel Enid Wilson, born in 1901 but unfortunately passed away in 1912 at the age of eleven from diphtheria⁴, undoubtedly causing great grief for the family. Wilson transferred to Sydney Technical High School, likely at its opening in 1911, while around the same time his family had also moved into 'Alhazern', Queen's Cliff Road, Manly. He finished his studies in 1914, trained as a fitter and turner³ and found a job in engineering, while also signing up for the 18th infantry, where he received basic military training. Wilson enlisted on the 8th of May 1916, joining the 4th Divisional Ammunition Column, leaving his family and work to serve in World War I⁵. 

On the 30th of September 1916, Wilson embarked on his journey to the UK aboard HMAT Aenaes⁶ as part of the AIF, where he would arrive in Plymouth 19 November 1916, and subsequently received training as an ammunition driver in the first unit of the 4th Divisional Ammunition Column as part of reinforcement 6. His unit left the UK on the 8th of January 1917, and was marched to the frontline in France by the 20th of January. Wilson was officially taken on strength on the 21st of January 1917 and immediately began serving his role as an ammunition driver for artillery in the western front, where he participated in numerous battles, notably the 1st Bullecourt, Polygon Wood and Villers Brettoneaux⁷.

His job as a driver involved guiding horse drawn carts loaded with artillery shells from storage in reserve trenches to the frontline where they were used by artillery regiments which required resupplying when they depleted their ammunition. As a driver, Wilson not only served the vital role of resupplying the artillery, but also had to survive enemy fire which was targeted at ammunition drivers in attempts to prevent the allied artillery from firing. This was extremely dangerous as the shells Wilson was transporting were explosive, and if hit would cause great injury. Additionally, if his horse was hit by small arms fire, the cart would become a standing target for the enemy, making it very vulnerable and dangerous for the driver due to its explosive nature. Despite the extreme danger present in his duty, Wilson was able to conduct his duty without injury for over 10 months without injury, reliably resupplying the artillery.

On the 12th of December, 1917 Wilson was admitted to the field hospital for the first time as he began to suffer myalgia, acute muscle pain which was likely caused by a lack of nutrition and overworking. Over the next few months, Wilson spent a considerable amount of time in field hospital due to his myalgia, and was moved alongside the field hospital as it relocated due to the changing frontlines. He was discharged for the last time on the 7th of March 1918 where he returned to his duties as a driver for the battles of Ancre, Arras and Villers Brettoneaux in March and April of the same year. He applied to go on leave to England on the 23rd of May 1918 but his leave was cancelled, hence he continued his duties as support on the Western Front until the 1st of June, where he was injured and died of wounds in Hospital⁸.

Wilson’s death resulting from his wounds in battle was an unfortunate end to the consistency and bravery he had displayed as part of the 4th Divisional Ammunition Column, where he became one of 44 men who did not make it home¹⁰. His father, Ernest J Wilson, was his next of kin, and received all of Wilson’s few belongings, which consisted of a pipe, tobacco, some coins and memorabilia of his life. His medals and unpaid earnings were given to his family, seven months after his passing and after numerous requests to the AIF from his father⁹. William Ernest Wilson was laid to rest in France at Crouy British Cemetery plot 3, row A, grave 4¹¹.

Endnotes:

1.1896. Australian Birth Index – William Ernest Wilson. NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. 

2. 1911. Sydney Technical High School Admission Register. NSW Department of Education Archives. 

3. 1915. Apprenticeship Records – Fitter and Turner. NSW State Archives 

4. 1912. BDM death registration (1912/15114)

5. 1916. NSW War Memorials Register: Driver William Ernest Wilson, service number 27337

6. 1916. Embarkation Roll – HMAT Aeneas. Australian War Memorial. 

7. 1917. AIF Casualty Form – Active Service. National Archives of Australia. 

8. 1918. AIF Leave Application Records. National Archives of Australia. 

9. 1918. AIF Service Record – Death of William Ernest Wilson. National Archives of Australia. 

10. 1920. 4th Divisional Ammunition Column Nominal Roll. Australian War Memorial. 

11.Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Crouy British Cemetery Register.