WADE, Percy
| Service Number: | 2898 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 October 1916, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Blackwood, South Australia , December 1887 |
| Home Town: | Blackwood, Mitcham, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Blackwood Public School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Brickmaker |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Mont St. Quentin, France, 1 September 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Blackwood War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Oct 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2898, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2898, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Dec 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2898, 43rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Adelaide | |
| 1 Sep 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2898, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Mont St Quentin / Peronne |
Help us honour Percy Wade's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Blackwood High School
World war 1 was the first time ordinary men were asked to fight above and beyond their call of duty as soldiers. World War 1 fell upon 1914 July 28th and ended 1918 November 11th. Percy Wade was an Australian soldier who did not make it out of World War 1 alive, as well as many other soldiers.
Percy Wade was born in Blackwood, South Australia, he lived on Wade Street Eden Hills in a house that still stands today. Percy Wade was a part of the Blackwood football club and the Coromandel 2nd XL cricket team. He enlisted on the 19th of October 1916 and was 29 when he embarked, Percy became a private. Percy was part of the 43d Battalion, 6th Reinforcement, the 43d Battalion was South Australia’s contribution to the strength of the division, along with the 41st, 42nd and 44th Battalions. Private Percy had a brother named Alfred Wade who served with the 51st battalion and survived the war, Percy and Alfred enlisted together on the 19th of October 1916. Whilst he was with the 43d battalion, he helped stop the German Spring Offensive at Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918, took part in the battle of Hamel in July 1918, and in August 1918 helped drive the Germans back to the Hindenburg Line. Percy was hit by machine gun fire and died before one of his mates finished dressing his wounds. He was buried where he fell but sadly the burial place could not be located after the battle.
World War 1 did not only have an impact on Percy Wade and his family. During and after the first world war Australia changed significantly. Australia’s economy and government greatly changed during World War 1. Since almost all the Australian men went to war, woman were left having to work in factories and shops to keep Australia running, but they were underpaid.
“Happen what may, the Australians who fought at Gallipoli will bequeath a heritage of honour to their children’s children.” – General Sir Ian Hamilton, November 1915.
The ANZAC legend, in theory is that Australian and New Zealander troops helped to establish their countries' reputations. The legend of our men at war has given Australia and New Zealand something to be proud of. The ANZAC legend is so important for us Australians because it encourages all Australians remember the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our country. The impact made from the legend has made a such a great impression of Australians, and we will continue to celebrate and commemorate the ANZAC soldiers landing and fighting in Gallipoli for years to come. World War 1 helped establish Australia as a nation and shaped us into what we are today.
World War 1 was a massive part of history, it helped shape countries, economies and governments and now the world has learnt that violence is not the answer. Many lives were lost like young Private Percy Wade, and we will always hold them in our hearts for being so brave and noble, and risking their lives for Australia. Lest we forget.
Bibliography:
2009, Blackwood Soldiers Project: Private Percy Wade, Blackwoodsoldiersproject.blogspot.com.au 17th/6/2016-http://blackwoodsoldiersproject.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/private-percy-wade.html (blackwoodsoldiersproject.blogspot.com.au)
2016, The Anzac legend, Gallipoli and the ANZACs, Australia and World War I, History Year 9, NSW | Online Education Home Schooling Skwirk Australia, Skwirk.com, 23/6/2016 http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-42_t-46_c-136/the-anzac-legend/nsw/the-anzac-legend/australia-and-world-war-i/gallipoli-and-the-anzacs (www.skwirk.com)
2012, The ANZAC Legend, Australian stories, yarns and myths, 23/6/2016 https://australianyarns.wordpress.com/the-anzac-legend/ (australianyarns.wordpress.com)
2016, Private Percy Wade | Australian War Memorial, Awm.gov.au, 14/6/2016 https://www.awm.gov.au/people/P10271817/ (www.awm.gov.au)
2009, Blackwood Soldiers Project: Private Percy Wade:, Blackwoodsoldiersproject.blogspot.com.au 14/6/2016 http://blackwoodsoldiersproject.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/private-percy-wade.html (blackwoodsoldiersproject.blogspot.com.au)
2016, Details, Aif.adfa.edu.au 14/6/2016 https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=309812 (aif.adfa.edu.au)
Click images to start slideshow.