Military History

William is listed as dying of his wounds on 7th June 1917 at the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station in Steenwerck. Williams service record shows that he received a gun shot wounds to the abdomen and chest on 29th May 1917 and was admitted to the 9th Field Ambulance and later the same day he was transferred to the 2nd Australian CCS where he died 8 days later on 7th June, one day after his 36th birthday.

The relevant sections of the 33rd Battalion Report on raid 28^th/29^th May 1917 – near Nieppe by D Company is transcribed below.

Intention 1: It was intended to carry out a raid on the enemy’s front line from U.15.d.84.70 to U.15.d.81.90 and to enter at U.15.d.87.82.

The objects of the raid were to ascertain if there was a mine shaft at U.15.d.85.80 as reported by previous units holding the line; to reconnoitre the enemy’s front line and to inflict casualties and take prisoners.

Composition of Party 2 (i): The composition and organisation of the party were as set out by 33^rd Battalion order no 38.

(ii): The party was supplied by D Company which company is to capture the part of the line in the Magnum Opus.

Assembly 5: The party was in position at the place of assembly at zero [1.45am - 29 May] minus 8 minutes. No casualties were sustained in reaching it. While there the trench was patrolled by one man who fired five rounds and several Very Lights – this was the only movement that could be heard.

Narrative 6 (i): At zero, on the opening of the Artillery the party crawled forward. So accurate was our artillery that by zero plus 2 they were between 30 and 40 yards from the barrage.

(ii): There was no opposition in the enemy trenches. The left blocking party proceeded 50 yards along the trench and came to an empty dug-out. This was not destroyed as we shall require it later.

(iii): The Storming party under 2^nd Lt K. J. Campbell worked along 50 yards and came to the concrete dug-out which can be seen from our line and where the mine shaft was suspected. There is no mine shaft. Lt Campbell gave the order to withdraw and then saw to destroying of this dug-out. On his way back to the point of exit he met a German, evidently the “caretaker” who had been hiding. He offered resistance so was killed. As everyone had left the trench Lt. Campbell had no time to get identifications and brought back only the dead man’s rifle.

(iv): The communication trench blocking party met with no resistance.