WELLS, William Edwin
| Service Number: | 10004 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 April 1916, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Sapper |
| Last Unit: | 9th Field Company Engineers |
| Born: | Orange, New South Wales, 23 February 1895 |
| Home Town: | Millthorpe, Blayney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Millthorpe School |
| Occupation: | Plasterer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 4 October 1917, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient), Orange "Fallen of Orange" Memorial Banners, Orange Cenotaph, Orange Holy Trinity Anglican Church Honour Board, Orange Shire of Canobolas, Orange WW1 Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sapper, 10004, 9th Field Company Engineers, Sydney, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sapper, 10004, 9th Field Company Engineers, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ajana embarkation_ship_number: A31 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Jul 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Sapper, 10004, 9th Field Company Engineers, HMAT Ajana, Sydney |
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"DEATH OF SAPPER W. E. WELLS.
The following letters have been received by Mr. and Mrs. Wells, of Millthorpe, from Lieut. Burgess and Sapper Harry Potter, of the 9th Field Coy., to which their son belonged:—
"France, Oct. 8th, 1917.— Dear Mrs. Wells,— It is with very great regret that I have to advise you of the death of your son, No. 10004, Sapper W. E. Wells, who was detailed to dig a strong point during our recent advance. Sapper Wells had been a member of my section since the formation of this Company, and I have therefore had many opportunities of observing his fine personal qualities, which made him one of the most useful and reliable men under my command. His death is a distinct loss to the section. Your son was universally popular among his comrades, who join with me in extending to you our deepest sympathy in your sad loss. His personal effects will be forwarded to you at the earliest opportunity. Assuring you again of my deepest sympathy, I am, yours sincerely, L. G. Burgess, Lieut."
"France, 6/10/17. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Wells and family.—Just a few lines to express to you my deepest sympathy in the loss of you dear son Will. He and I had been mates since leaving sunny New South Wales, and have lived, worked and taken our pleasures together during the greater portion of that period. I have lost a great companion, and Australia one of her noblest sons. Though you have lost a son and our section one of its strongest men, you will always have the assurance that he died doing his duty as a true and brave soldier. Do not grieve, dear friends, as Will has made the greatest sacrifice that has over been man's lot to make, for he has laid down his life for the weak and oppressed and the maintenance of right against wrong. Your loss will be his gain, and in a few short years we will all meet in God's home above in one joyful family—I remain, yours sincerely, Harry Potter (Sapper)." - from the Orange Leader 24 Dec 1917 (nla.gov.au)
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