WILLIAMS, Arthur Edward
| Service Number: | 3559 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 13th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia , 4 December 1897 |
| Home Town: | Guildford, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Auburn, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Pneumonia and influenza, United Kingdom, 22 February 1919, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Brookwood Military Cemetery, Pirbright, Surrey, England, United Kingdom Section IV, Row I, Grave 7 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 3559, 13th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 3559, 13th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Lincoln, Sydney |
Help us honour Arthur Edward Williams's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Cathy Sedgwick
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”
Arthur Edward Williams was born at Cootamundra, New South Wales on 4th December, 1897 to parents Charles & Louisa Matilda Rosabella Williams (nee Hardwick).
(Note: His birth was registered in the district of Cootamundra, NSW & according to information supplied by his mother for the Roll of Honour – Arthur Edward Williams was born at Cootamundra. Arthur Williams listed his place of birth as Young, NSW on his Attestation Papers. Young is around 50 klms north-east of Cootamundra).
His father – Charles Williams died on 25th November, 1901.
On 29th July, 1915 Arthur Williams enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) aged 18 years & 10 months, single & a Farmer from Guildford, NSW. His next of kin was listed as his friend – Mrs E. Hunter, Guildford Road, Guildford, NSW.
Private Arthur Williams, Service number 3559, embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Port Lincoln (A17) on 13th October, 1915 with the 4th Infantry Brigade, 13th Infantry Battalion, 11th Reinforcements.
He was taken on strength from Reinforcements at Tel-el-Kebir on 4th March, 1916. Private Williams was transferred to 4th Divisional Artillery on 12th March, 1916. He was taken on strength of 10th Field Artillery Brigade from 13th Battalion & posted to 39th Battery on 13th March, 1916 with the rank of Gunner.
On 1st June, 1916 Gunner Williams was mustered as Driver.
Driver Arthur Williams proceeded to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) from Alexandria on 5th June, 1916. He disembarked at Marseilles, France on 13th June, 1916.
Driver Arthur Williams was reported to be with his Unit on 1st July, 1916.
[Note: There is no record of Driver Arthur Williams’ movements from 2nd July, 1916 until 20th April, 1917]
He proceeded on leave to England from 20th April, 1917.
On 10th June, 1917 Driver Williams proceeded overseas to France via Southampton from H & D Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire, England under escort to rejoin his Unit. He was marched in to A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot) at Havre, France on 11th June, 1917 & was marched out to duty on 19th June, 1917.
Driver Williams was transferred to 4th D.A.C. on 20th June, 1917 & was transferred to 10th F.A.B. (Field Artillery Brigade) on 21st June, 1917.
A Field General Court Martial was held on 29th June, 1917 with Driver Arthur Williams charged with A.W.L. (absent without leave) from 30th April, 1917 until apprehended on 31st May, 1917 in London, England. Finding of Court Martial - Driver Arthur Williams was sentenced to 40 days F.P. No. 2 (Field Punishment) and forfeited 60 days’ pay on 29th June, 1917. Period in arrest awaiting trial – 28 days. Total forfeiture – 100 days’ pay.
On 8th December, 1917 Driver Williams reported sick & was admitted to 12th Australian Field Ambulance with Scabies then transferred & admitted to “3 C. Scab Detn” the same day. Driver Williams was discharged to duty on 11th December, 1917 & rejoined 39th Battery on 13th December, 1917.
Driver Arthur Williams reported sick on 30th December, 1917 & was admitted to 57th Field Ambulance with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin). Driver Williams was transferred to Ambulance Train & admitted to 16th General Hospital at Le Treport on 5th January, 1918 with P.U.O. He was transferred to Base Depot on 15th January, 1918.
He was marched in to A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot) at Rouelles on 16th January, 1918. He was marched out to his Unit on 4th February, 1918 & he rejoined 39th Battery on 7th February, 1918.
After receiving a letter from Mrs Louisa Grosvenor on 17th December, 1917, Base Records changed the next of kin for Driver Arthur Williams on 23rd May, 1918 from his friend to his Mother – Mrs F. Grosvenor, 3 Henrietta Street, Chippendale, Sydney, NSW. His mother had only just been advised that Arthur Williams had enlisted.
Gunner Arthur Williams was listed to be transferred from France on 31 Jan 1919 to England for R.T.A. (Return to Australia). He was marched out to England from A.G.B.D. as part of Quota 7 – 1915 Personnel for R.T.A. on 10th February, 1919. He disembarked at Weymouth on 11th February, 1919 & was marched in to 3rd Training Brigade Convalescent Camp.
On 18th February, 1919 Gunner Williams was admitted to City of London Military Hospital, Clapton with Influenza. He was reported to be dangerously ill at Military Hospital, Clapton on 20th February, 1919.
Gunner Arthur Williams died at 8.45 am on 22nd February, 1919 at City of London Military Hospital Clapton, London, England from Influenza & Pneumonia. The Hospital Admissions form reported: “Admitted 18.2.19. Temp 104. Developed Left Lobar Pneumonia. Died suddenly 22.2.19.”
He was buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, England where around 360 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/tu---z.html
Click images to start slideshow.