EWENS, William Reynolds
| Service Number: | 557 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 6th South Australian Imperial Bushmen |
| Born: | Port MacDonnell, South Australia , 21 September 1878 |
| Home Town: | Mount Gambier, Mount Gambier, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Reitz, South Africa, Standerton, Mpumalanga, South Africa, 9 June 1901, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Reitz Garden of Remembrance, Reitz, Free State, South Africa |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Mount Gambier Boer War Memorial, North Adelaide St Peter's Cathedral Boer War Honour Roll |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Trooper, 557 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Trooper, 557, 6th South Australian Imperial Bushmen | |
| 6 Apr 1901: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 557, 6th South Australian Imperial Bushmen, SS Warrigal. | |
| 9 Jun 1901: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 557, 6th South Australian Imperial Bushmen, Killed in Action. | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
general information
William Reynolds - Boer War - † Roll of Honour - Canberra 21 Sep 1878 - 09 Jun 1901 Killed at Reitz
Breaker Morant - Fifty-nine South Australians died from wounds or illness.
Among them were Charles Frederick Millman, aged 36 years from Echunga He was killed in action on 31 October 1900 and buried at Jacobsdal, South Africa. Albert Arthur Vickery of Mintaro, Francis George Matthews of Wirrabara, William Reynolds Ewens of Port MacDonnell, John Edgar Gluyas of Quorn, Captain Samuel Grau Hubbe from Macclesfield, who was killed on 12 September 1900 at Ottoskoop and Lieutenants Leonard Gordon of Strathalbyn and John W. Powell of Mount Gambier.
to the south, from Mount Gambier, William Ewans was killed in fighting near Reitz on June 6, 1901.
That was a dark week for SA casualties.
Submitted 27 November 2018 by Anita Tsamtsikas
Biography contributed by Robert Kearney
Brother of Sergeant Arthur Edwin Ewens [1st and 5th Contingents] and cousin of Troopers Cecil Edwin Ewens [3rd Contingent] and Clifford Wooley Ewens [4 Contingent].
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
The late Trooper W. R. Ewens, of the Sixth Contingent, was a brother to Sergeant A. E. Ewens, of the Fifth and First Contingents, and cousin of Troopers C. E. Ewens and C. W. Ewens, of the Third and fourth Contingents, from this State. He was nearly 23 years old, and was for some years under Major Howland in D Company, Mount Gambier. He was for one year holder of the 'Moorak' trophy, Mount Gambier' June 17.
Widespread sympathy was expressed this evening when news was received of the death of Trooper William R. Ewens. The first intimation of the sad event was received by Mr. Ewens from the Premier (Hon. J. G. Jenkins). Trooper Ewens, who was in his 23rd year, was born at Port McDonnell, and was the fourth son of the late Mr. T. C. Ewens of that place, and Mrs. M. A. Ewens, now of Mount Gambier.
He was always of a happy disposition, and was a great favourite among his companions, especially members of the company to which he had been attached since February, 1897. Captain Heaver speaks in terms of the highest praise of his departed comrade. He received a letter from the deceased soldier last Friday, stating that he was enjoying excellent health, not withstanding a slight illness from which he had suffered between Adelaide and Albany. He had intended to go with the First Contingent, but missed the train at Mount Gambier, and abandoned the trip. When the opportunity arose, he enlisted in the Sixth Contingent. He was one of the contingent which went to Sydney in connection with the Commonwealth celebrations, and was highly complimented for services rendered. He was a member of the Volunteer Football Club, and of the local branch of the A.N.A. The deceased was engaged to be married to a local young lady. His brother, Sergeant A. Ewens, who was a member of the First Contingent, is now serving with the Fifth Contingent.
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