John Williamson

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Fri, 20/11/2015 - 09:59

First Name:

John

Last Name:

Williamson

Mother's Name:

Mary Williamson

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, September 1, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

45th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, June 7, 1917

Place of Death:

Messines, Belgium

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

John Williamson (Service No 4894) was born in Bishop Auckland, Newfield, Durham, England around 1876.

John emigrated to Australia and settle with his wife Mary Jane in the Illawarra.

When John enlisted he was 39 years old and worked as a coal miner in Helensburgh, N.S.W. John had previously served 3 years in 2nd Durham Infantry.

John embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A15 Star of England with 15th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion on 8th March 1916. While on the ship he was admitted to hospital with the mumps.

When he arrived in Egypt he was transferred to 45th Battalion.

John arrived in France on 8th June 1916 and served on the Western Front. On 14th February 1917 he was admitted to hospital sick but returned to his unit a week later.

On 7th June 1917 while fighting at Messines John was killed in action; there appear to be no details recorded about his death.

Threre is no known grave for John; he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, WILLIAMSON JOHN