Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From: In Remembrance: Hungerford and Associated Families in the Great War 1914-1918

Pte William Edward DU MOULIN

Regimental Number:   2649

Unit Name:   52nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Religion:   Church of England

Occupation:   Grazier

Address:   Lennons Hotel, Brisbane, Qld

Age at Enlistment:   23 years and 4 months

Enlistment Date and Place:   18 March 1916, Brisbane, Qld

Next of Kin:   Mother, Mrs. Alice Burnett, A.B.C. Bank, Sydney, NSW

Rank on Enlistment:   Private

Embarkation Details:   Unit embarked from Sydney, NSW, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic, on

7 October 1916

Rank from Nominal Roll:   Private

Unit from Nominal Roll:   45th Battalion

Campaigns Served:   Western Front

War Service/Promotions:   On 1 December 1916 promoted to A/Corporal with E.D.P. On

25 February 1917 proceeded overseas from Folkstone, England to France. The next day reverted to Ranks. On 27 February 1917 marched into 4th A.D.B. Depot, Etaples, France. Taken on strength of 47th Battalion on 7 March 1917. On 17 April 1917, evacuated sick to hospital. On 20 April 1917 discharged to duty and two days later rejoined 47th Battalion. On 20 December 1917 proceeded on leave and then on 5 January 1918 rejoined 47th Battalion from leave. Wounded (1st occurrence) 27 March 1918 and admitted to 6th Stationary Hospital with gunshot wound to the wrist. On 28 March 1918 transferred to 7th Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, France. On 10 April 1918 marched into A.D.B. Depot, ex hospital. On 25 May 1918 transferred from 47th Battalion to 45th Battalion. On

8 August 1918  he was wounded (2nd occurrence), and admitted to 13th Australian Field Ambulance with gunshot wound to left thigh and right leg. Two days later was transferred to 8th Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, France. On 11 August 1918 he was invalided to England, (wounded), and admitted to the Edmonton Military Hospital, Edmonton, London. On 28 August he was transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, Kent. He was discharged on 11 September 1918 to Littlemoor Camp, Weymouth, Dorset. On 6 November 1918 admitted to 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Southall, near London, with chronic bronchitis (whilst on leave). On 5 January 1919 discharged from hospital for return to Australia (pleurisy and tuberculosis). On the 11 November 1919 he was discharged from the A.I.F. at Sydney. His disability:- Pulmonary tuberculosis.

Fate:   Returned to Australia per HMAT A61 Kanowna, 5 January 1919, arriving in Sydney, 14 March 1919. He married Adeline Dornbusch, 28 September 1922, Warwick, Qld.

Place of Wounding:   (1) Gunshot wound, wrist, 27 March 1918, France. (2) Gunshot wound, right thigh (mild), 8 August 1918, France.

Place of Death:   15 April 1949, Mena Private Hospital, Mosman, NSW

Place of Burial:   Church of England Cemetery, Northern Suburbs Cemetery (now Macquarie Park Cemetery) North Ryde, NSW

Medals/Citations:   British War Medal; Victory Medal. He was recommended for the Military Medal on 16 October 1917, but it was not awarded.

'Action for which commended: Near Passchendaele Ridge on 12th October 1917, this man acted as a Runner and delivered all messages with swiftness and accuracy. On numerous occasions he came through enemy barrage and was never failing in his endeavour to do his duty. He also acted as guide for Officers visiting the Front Line and was wonderfully cool under fire.'