WYNYARD, Richard
| Service Number: | 607 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 September 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Auckland, New Zealand , date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk, Wool Classer |
| Died: | 3 January 1970, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 607 | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 607, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Geelong, Hobart | |
| 2 Mar 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 607, 12th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, ex Alexandria | |
| 18 Jun 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 12th Infantry Battalion, Gallipoli | |
| 16 Jun 1916: | Promoted Sergeant, 12th Infantry Battalion, France | |
| 19 Jun 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 607, 12th Infantry Battalion, France | |
| 14 May 1919: | Honoured Military Medal, The Battle of Amiens, London Gazette, 14 May 1919 on page 6062 at position 38 | |
| 20 Nov 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 607, 12th Infantry Battalion, Demobilized |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Richard Wynyard was a 26-year-old man born in Auckland New Zealand and enlisted on the 5th of September 1914. He was attended at Morphett Vale, South Australia on the 5th of December 1914. Before he decided to join the war he was a clerk which means he worked in offices. His next of kin was his father who still lived in New Zealand at the time. He was not married at the time of his embarkation. He boarded the A2 Geelong boat on the 20th of October 1914 to Gallipoli. His rank upon joining was Private in the 12th Battalion, E company.
Richard Wynyard spent 5 years in the Australian Imperial Force before being discharged in 1920. During his time fighting for Australia, he was appointed Sergeant of the 12th Battalion. In 1920, Richard Wynyard was declared demobilised. Richard Wynyard received a variety of wounds and illnesses during service; a shrapnel wound in August 1915; Influenza July 1915 Gallipoli; Wounded, right thigh, France June 1916; Scabies March 1917; Wounded May 1918 and Influenza June 1918. The Battalion continued operations until late September 1918.
Back then anyone who joined the Australian imperial force did it of their own will. Richard Wynyard kept persisting in war and never tried to do anything to hurt himself so he would have to be discharged. In the war Richard Wynyard was awarded a Military Medal.
'During operations east of Proyart, August 23/26 1918, Sergeant Wynyard displayed great initiative, leadership and courage. The enemy was entrenched strongly in front and was holding up the centre of his Company. A party had attempted to approach this strong post, but without exception had become casualties. Sergeant Wynyard saw this and quickly organised a small party, moved up a flanking communication trench and succeeded in getting into an advantageous position by directing his Lewis Gun and grenade fire, threatening the enemy to such an extent, that a party of 35 surrendered. He showed great initiative and quickness of action in dealing with a nasty situation.'