Edward WILLIAMS

Regimental number6/2808
Date of birth10 November 1891
Place of birthMerewether, New South Wales, Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationButcher
AddressWaikaia, Southland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24.5
Height5' 7"
Weight160 lbs
Next of kinAunt, Mrs S Grindle, Blackball, Westland
Previous military serviceServed in 13th North Canterbury Regiment, Territorial Force; still serving at time of NZEF enlistment.
Enlistment date17 April 1915
Place of enlistmentTrentham
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 6th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 27 Willochra on 14 August 1915
Final rankSergeant
Final unitCanterbury Infantry Regiment
FateCommenced return to New Zealand 12 March 1919
Discharge date13 June 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Joined Bn at Mudros, 30 September 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 30 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Transferred to 2nd Bn, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, Ismailia, 4 March 1916.

Promoted Corporal, 4 March 1916.

Attached to strength of NZ Infantry Brigade Training Bn, Moascar, 25 March 1916.

Appointed Temporary Sergeant, 14 April 1916.

Discharged from Aotea Convalescent Home to duty, 6 May 1916 (inflamed gums).

Embarked Alexandria, 29 May 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 9 June 1916, and marched in to 2nd Training Bn, Sling Camp, 15 June 1916.

Promoted Sergeant, 14 April 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 20 October 1916; rejoined 2nd Bn, in the field, 8 November 1916.

Reverted to the ranks at own request, 31 January 1917.

Promoted Sergeant, 14 February 1917.

Admitted to 9th Australian Field Ambulance, 4 June 1917 (sprained ankle), and transferred to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station; to No 2 Australian General Hospital, Wimereux, 5 June 1917 (disability trivial: CO stated soldier in no way to blame); to No 1 Convalescent Depot, Etaples, 22 June 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 20 July 1917.

Wounded in action, 9 August 1917 (gassed); admitted to No 3 NZ Field Ambulance, 10 August 1917; rejoined Bn, 14 August 1917.

On leave to United Kingdom, 27 October 1917; rejoined Bn from leave, 10 November 1917.

Admitted to 4th NZ Field Ambulance, 15 December 1917 (bronchitis), and transferred to 2nd NZ Field Ambulance; to 1st NZ Field Ambulance, 20 December 1917; discharged to duty, 28 December 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 29 December 1917.

On leave to Paris, 8 July 1918; rejoined Bn from leave, 23 July 1918.

Wounded in action (second occasion), 24 August 1918 (gun shot wound, right knee), and admitted to 1st NZ Field Ambulance; transferred to 56th Casualty Clearing Station, 26 August 1918; to 9th General Hospital, Rouen, 25 August 1918; to England, 29 August 1918, and admitted to No 1 NZ General Hospital, Brockenhurst, 30 August 1918; transferred to NZ Convalescent Hospital, Hornchurch, 2 October 1918.

Commenced return to New Zealand from Tilbury on board HMNZT 'Corinthic', 12 March 1919; discharged (no longer physically fit for War Service on account of illness contracted on Active Service: gun shot wound and pneumonia), 13 June 1919.

War service: 4 years 58 days (of which 3 years 253 days were abroad)

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Canterbury Infantry Batln/Sixth
Date of death2 October 1952 Lower Hutt
Age at death60
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805

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