Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Henry Tonkin was an esteemed science teacher at Sydney Technical High School until June 11, 1915, when he enlisted in the Great War, but did not begin training until February 1916. Along with teaching at Technical High School, Tonkin also taught at Granville and Grafton High Schools as a beloved and respected teacher, emphasizing his pre-war contributions and value. 

William Henry Tonkin was born on 13 December 1886 in Adelong, NSW, to parents Richard Henry Tonkin( 1864-1938) and Jane Eliza “Jenny” Nee Mitchell (1863-1958). He had 8 brothers, with him being the eldest. The family prioritised Baptist Christianity as their chosen pillar of faith. Before the war, his marital status was noted as single, with him being 30 years old.

Post-enlistment, WH Tonkin received brief training before embarking with his unit (4th Infantry Battalion ) upon the HMAT A62  Wandilla on the 3rd of February 1916 with the rank of Lieutenant.

During the war, a Lieutenant's most notable impact was keeping their men in line. Often in the trenches, morale was low, and for keeping the offensive running, Lieutenants were integral. Although the survival rate of this rank was very low ( often a few weeks for new lieutenants), this did not hinder them from being directly responsible for the failure or success of minor but critical offensives/attacks.

W.H. Tonkin departed from Sydney on the HMAT WANDILLA, to Alexandria on 3 February 1916. He was allotted to the 8th Training Battalion in Ismalia after arrival. On the 9 May 1916 Tonkin was hospitalised with influenza in Egypt. He was sent to England for further treatment and to recover spending a few months at the 1st Australian Base Depot to convalesce. He marched out to the 7th Battalion in France 29th August 1916.

William Henry Tonkin officially took his last breath on the 7th May 1917, killed during the Battle of Bullecourt. During this battle,  Tonkin’s battalion directly launched an offensive against the Hindenburg line, from where they faced heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, along with bombings. His sacrifice is recorded as 'Killed In Action’, conveying that he was likely killed from falling into the trenches or from the heavy machine gun fire, from where his remains were not recovered. This was not uncommon during this gruesome battle as Liuetanats often fought and defended the directing troops who conveyed messages between posts. His next of kin as recorded on his enlistment form was his father ( Henry Tonkin), a resident of ‘Sunnyside’, Adelong, NSW.

William Henry Tonkin was an outstanding teacher, son, brother, and a proud ANZAC who valiantly served as a lieutenant in the First World War under the 4th Battalion. It is likely that his reports of sickness under the ‘ medical examiner’s notes’, shortly before his expiration, may have led to tiredness and a weaker sense of self, possibly contributing to his death. Throughout his journey in the army on the Western Front, W.H. Tonkin acquired the Victory Medal, along with the British War Medal, to commemorate his sacrifices during the First World War. His journey further enabled him to develop superb tactical skills, effective communication, and proficient weapon-handling practices, highlighting his overall progression through the ranks. Overall, William Henry Tonkin was the very embodiment of the ANZAC spirit, dignifying what it meant to make the ultimate sacrifice for not only one's country but also for those who care for them, waiting at home.

End Notes

1. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=8393136&isAv=N
2.https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1670147
3. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UzLsHqDtFMZctvLUSnJwX2aHp6LHyO2f?usp=drive_link
4. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8393136
5 .https://ww1.wales/4th-battalion-australian-imperial-force/
6. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51444 

Bibliography

Ken Stevenson, Research on Google Drive

Baptism is a form of Protestant Christianity.
Pyrexia was referred to as the fever in WW1.
The Fourth Battalion was a pioneer battalion in the Australian Imperial Force.
The Fourth Battalion endured a staggering 3485 casualties, from which 1293 were killed in action.
Tonkin’s Battalion served primarily on the Western Front in France. 
The Battle of Bullecourt was integral in confronting the German Hindenburg Line.
Sydney Technical High School was previously referred to as simply Technical High School.
The British War Medal is a British and Imperial Campaign medal awarded to soldiers during and after WW1.
The Victory Medal was awarded to all Allied troops as a commemoration of the Allied victory over the Central Powers.
The Somme Offensive (1916-17) was labeled a pyrrhic victory or a victory that came at a devastating cost.