WILLIAMS, James Andrew
| Service Numbers: | 742, 742A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 15th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Mt Cameron, Tasmania, Australia, 27 January 1888 |
| Home Town: | Mathinna, Break O'Day, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 31 October 1971, aged 83 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Melbourne Chevra Kadisha Springvale Cemetery, Noble Park, Victoria |
| Memorials: | Fingal Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 742, 40th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1916: | Involvement Private, 742, 40th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Hobart embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 1 Jul 1916: | Embarked Private, 742, 40th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Hobart | |
| 13 Oct 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 15th Infantry Battalion, Allotted new SN 742A | |
| 11 Apr 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 742A, 15th Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (First), GSW left forearm. | |
| 26 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 742A, 15th Infantry Battalion, Polygon Wood, GSW neck & right arm. | |
| 2 Oct 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 15th Infantry Battalion | |
| 31 Oct 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Polygon Wood, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action near ZONNEBEKE on 26th September, 1917. He assisted his Platoon Sergeant in capturing an enemy pill box from which a party of six enemy riflemen offered resistance. He worked to the rear of the enemy and forced them to surrender. He showed splendid courage at all times during the attack, was slightly wounded but carried on until wounded a second time. He showed a splendid example to his comrades.' | |
| 4 Jan 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 15th Infantry Battalion | |
| 25 Aug 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Corporal, 742A, 15th Infantry Battalion, "The Last Hundred Days", Gassed | |
| 14 Jan 1921: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 742A, 15th Infantry Battalion, While awaiting repatriation in England in 1919, was charged with "refusing duty", convicted and sentenced to 6 months detention and reduction to the ranks. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
James Andrew Williams was a son of Andrew James and Sarah Jane Williams of Mathinna, Tasmania. His family had a remarkable record of service during WW1, with four brothers enlisting from the small bush town near Mount Ben Lomond in Tasmania.
An older brother, 1108 Private Charles Henry Ernest Williams 15th Battalion AIF, was killed in action during heavy fighting on 2 May 1915.
His other brothers were, 1652 Lance Corporal Francis Herbert Williams 12th Battalion M.M. and Bar, twice wounded, returned to Australia July 1918, from Mathinna, Tasmania.
26906 Driver Leslie Williams 13th Field Artillery Brigade AIF, returned to Australia 18 October 1917.
Another brother, Russell Thomas Williams, tried to enlist but was rejected on medical grounds.
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