WILLIAMS, Alfred Edward
| Service Number: | 2188 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 August 1915, Newcastle, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 30th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Williams River, Raymond Terrace, NSW, 7 March 1889 |
| Home Town: | Stratford, Gloucester Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Stratford Public School |
| Occupation: | Railway Porter |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 20 July 1916, aged 27 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Bethune, Nord Pas de Calais I K 54 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Gloucester Forbesdale Roll of Honor, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2188, 30th Infantry Battalion, Newcastle, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb 1916: | Involvement Private, 2188, 30th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Feb 1916: | Embarked Private, 2188, 30th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Sydney | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 30th Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Death of Private A. E. Williams.
Au official message was received by Mr. W. J. Williams of Edgemond Park, Stratford, near Gloucester, on Saturday last, conveying the sad news that his son Private Albert Edward, of the 30th Battalion, had been killed in action in France on the 20th July last. The message also conveyed the deep regret and sympathy of their Majesties the King and Queen and Commonwealth Government in the loss that he and the army had sustained by the death of the soldier. The late Private Williams was born at Eagleton on the 7th March 1889, and was therefore in his 28th year. The principal part of his life in this district was spent at Tomago, where he left with his parents for their new home at Stratford, in the year 1909. He received his principal education at the local public school, and, being of a studious nature, made the best of the available facilities to improve himself and fit himself for the battle of life. He was essentially a military man, and served for three years in the First Light Horse Regiment formed in this district under (now) Lieut-Colonel Meredith and Major Windeyer : but this could not be wondered at, for he certainly came of military stock — an uncle serving with the late Lord Roberts in 1879 and in Egypt in 1882 ; an uncle in the navy ; an uncle in the 3rd Rifle Brigade served in the South African campaign, and is now serving with his old regiment in France, and is amongst the wounded. Two cousius serving in the 2nd Warwickshire regiment left. England on the outbreak of the war in August, 1914. One still survives, and has only been home to England twice for four days, and has been in action at Mons, Marne, Meuse, aud the second battle of Ypres, and has had 14 years' service in the British army. The second cousin; a namesake of the late soldier, was killed in the battle of the Marne.
Prior to enlisting the late Private Williams held a position in the State railways. Sincere and wide-spread sympathy will be felt in this district for Mr. and Mrs. Williams and family in the loss of a noble son and brother, and the sacrifice of a life full of promise.
He sleeps not in his native land,
But 'neath the foreign skies
In a- hero's grave he lies,
Far away from those who loved him best.
He has for his country fallen—
for the honour of us all.
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