Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Pte WARLAND embarked 18 Nov 1915 from Adelaide aboard HMAT Geelong and disembarked 18 Dec 1915 at Suez. Ten days later, befitting the typical ANZAC larrikin, Wm was awarded half an hour of pack drill for being late for a 7.30 am yard parade at Ferdan. Very soon, on 8 Jan 1916, he was admitted to hospital at Serapeum. He was with B Company 32nd Battalion of the AIF in Egypt at Cairo, Ghezireh, Abbassia, Tel-el-Kebir, Alexandria, then France where this mischievous Aussie soldier was admonished on 7 Jul 1916 for disobedience of orders.

Attrition on the Western Front saw him taken on strength from the 29th Battalion and transferred to the 8th Brigade Light Trench Mortar Battery (LTMB). He rose through the ranks as follows: 9 Mar 1917 appointed Lance Corporal, 25 May 1917 promoted to Temporary Corporal, 1 Aug 1917 promoted to Sergeant. Sgt WARLAND became a distinguished soldier on the 31 Oct 1917 when he was awarded the Military Medal.

The citation:
At POLYGON WOOD - East of YPRES - during operations from 26th/30th September 1917, this N.C.O. displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. A few minutes after Zero, the garrison of a Strong Point which had been overlooked in the advance, commenced bombing the Infantry from the rear. Lance Corporal WARLAND rushed the Strong Point firing his rifle, and, using his bayonet with great effect captured the garrison. In the late stages of the advance on to the final objective, this N.C.O. was continually to the front rendering most valuable service, and was of great assistance to his Section Commander. His fearlessness and devotion to duty is deserving of very high praise. Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: 7 March 1918 [www.aif.adfa.edu.au/]

The following year this entry was made for 17 Jul 1918: The Corps Commander congratulates this Sgt on his gallant action under the circumstances stated. - For his courage & coolness in maintaining his two trench mortars in action, although subjected to very heavy hostile artillery & machine gun fire, during operation on 4 Jul 1918. [Service Record [pg 14] For this Mention for a battle at Ville sur Ancre on the Somme he was awarded an Albert Medal in Gold. Yet again on 11 Dec 1918, as recorded in a Supplement to the London Gazette, Sgt Warland was awarded a Bar to his MM for distinction in the field of war with his 8th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery (ALTMB).

Several periods of leave are noted: In England 19 June - 6 Jul 1917, a week in Paris from 4 Jan 1918, while on furlough in England from 24 Feb 1918 he was admitted to hospital, again hospitalised in England on 23 Aug 1918 with severe swelling of right leg. More furlough from 5-19 Sep 1918 at Littlemoor Camp, Weymouth and more hospital treatment.

Following this he seems to have been with the Overseas Training Brigade at No 1 Company Depot before rejoining his unit in action in France from 21 Nov 1918.
Not unscathed, wounded in action for the first time with a shell wound to the foot on 20 Jul 1916, another wound on 15 Aug 1916 and on 29 Jul 1918 in France it was reported that:

On the night 28th/29th July the 29th Battalion attacked and captured enemy trench opposite MORLANCOURT. Sergeant WARLAND's gun crew took over a Stokes Mortar in the attack, to cover flank of left Company. Although this Sergeant was wounded before leaving our trench he carried on and succeeded in establishing his gun in old German line on left flank. He fired on and silenced two machine guns and a light minenwerfer which were causing casualties amongst our troops, and only returned to have his wound dressed when ordered to do so by the Company Commander. The gallantry, devotion to duty and excellent example shown were great incentives to his crew and other troops in the vicinity.Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 Date: 12 February 1919 [www.aif.adfa.edu.au/]