PFAU, William John
| Service Number: | 7063 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 October 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wurtemburg, South Germany, 7 January 1897 |
| Home Town: | Wilmot, Kentish, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | KIA - coward-shot by surrendering prisoner, France, 23 August 1918, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Hobart Roll of Honour, Kentish Municipality Honour Roll Mural, Sheffield War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Oct 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 7063, 12th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 1916: | Involvement Private, 7063, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Dec 1916: | Embarked Private, 7063, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Persic, Melbourne |
Help us honour William John Pfau's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Sue Guinan
PFAU, WILLIAM JOHN.
Born 7th January 1897 Strahan Tasmania to John and Christina Pfau (nee Matthews) a farmer who embarked Melbourne 22nd December 1916 on board “HMAT Persic” with the 12th Infantry Battalion.
He was killed in action 23rd August 1918 and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
A letter from the Rev T J O’Donnell to Mr R W Harrison of Wynyard says
“Reg No 7063 Private W J Pfau son of Mr F J Pfau of Sheffield was killed in the recent great battle under tragic circumstances. The boy himself was of german extraction, like many thousands from Australia and more particularly America who are here fighting the monster of German militarism from which their fathers fled to new and free lands. Young Pfau was a brave lad and an excellent soldier. He went out towards a trench in which there were about 40 germans. They put up their hands and made signs denoting their wish to surrender. Private Pfau returned and reported the matter and said he would go and bring in the prisoners. He again called to them and again the hands were raised so Pfau walked towards the trench. As he came near one of the germans fired point blank at him with a revolver killing him instantly. Pfau’s mates, who were watching, with fierce anger immediately turned six machine guns on the germans and attacked with the bayonet and of the forty only three were left alive. Thus was the treacherous deed that took the life of a brave young Tasmanian soldier avenged. Young Pfau certainly showed great courage and had he lived he would have received a decoration. He was a member of the famous old 12th Battalion and he was laid to rest in the field of glory near the spot where he so gallantly fell.
The Courier Mail 31st October 1918
Click images to start slideshow.