Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Jacob Ponton was born at Yarraville, Victoria on 8th August 1883.
His parents are William Jacob Ponton and Agnes Ponton (nee Waddell). His Father was born in Wycliffe, Gloustershire, England and his Mother in Ayrshire, Scotland.
His Father was a labourer who moved around a bit chasing work.
At one stage he lived in Maud street Geelong (1909). The census shows that he was a labourer, the same as his Father.
He was one of seven children (4 boys and 3 girls)

William Jacob 1872 1874
Elizabeth Ann 1874 – 1951
Married Peter Shearer.

Jacob Edward 1876 - 1876
Emma Sophia 1877 - 1956
Married Norman Hoather

James Robert 1880 - 1960
Married Marjorie Louise ? William Jacob 1883 - 1942
Married Eva McDonald

Ann Bayton 1885 - 1970
Married status unknown at this stage

William Jacob married Eva McDonald in Fitzroy in 1912, at the age of 27 years.
By that stage he was working for the Victorian Railways.
He and Eva moved a few times whilst William was working for the railways ie; Horsham & Daylesford. (electoral records)
He was then transferred to Warragul, in the parcels department.
For a while they rented a home in Mason street Warragul, before they purchased the property at 22 Witton street Warragul on ….. 1931 for the price of … pound.
They raised five children there,
William John
Married Margaret Ponton
Herbert
Married Annie

George
Married Elfreda Hogg Thelma
Married Lamport, then Ken Ellis

Phyllis
Married Allan Devitt
Evelyn
Married Allan Gapes


He joined the Australian army in world war one as a private in the 22 Infantry battalion, 9 – 12 reinforcements (February – April 1916).
His battalion was shipped overseas on the RMS Orontes on 29th March 1916. He was aged 32 years old.
Whilst overseas in France he contracted CS Meningitis and was hospitalised in England in a serious condition in August 1916.
He then returned to Australia in July 1917, at that stage he was discharged from the armed forces.
His medical condition had left him in a “Loss of power” state.
He was awarded the British war medal, Victory medal and the 1914/18 Star medal.
He returned to work at the Victorian Railways. He worked for the railways for over 27 years.
He again joined the Australian Army in world war two and held the rank of Corporal in the 4th Advance Ordnance Depot, on 18th January 1938 at the age of 49.
On July 18th 1942 at the age of 58 whilst alighting from a bus to allow other passengers to board it, and in attempting to board the bus again, he slipped and fell due to his war injury. He was still a serving member of the armed forces.
He died at the Heidelberg Military Hospital.
A full military funeral was given for William Jacob and he is buried in the Warragul cemetery.
He was a popular Warragul man, particularly with returned soldiers, and he took an active part in the affairs of the Warragul sub-branch RSSILA. He was on the committee for some time.