William Wadsworth's Story.
William was born in Market Drayton in 1898 but at some point moved to Crewe where he appears in the 1911 census aged 12 years old. After completing his education at Edleston Road Junior School and Ruskin Secondary School he emigrated to Australia when he was 16 years old utilising an Australian government loan to pay for his passage. In Australia his trade is recorded as " Learning Farming". He enlisted in the Australian Army in Melbourne, Victoria on 5th July 1915 giving his age as 18 years although he would have been 17 at that time. He was initially posted to the 9th Battalion Infantry Depot in Melbourne as part of the 9th Reinforcements then later assigned to the 14th Battalion 15th Reinforcements. On 14th March 1916 he embarked on HMAT Anchises and sailed to Egypt. Arriving in Egypt he joined the 4th Training Battalion AIF at Tel el Kabir
HMAT Anchises
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Tel el Kabir Training Camp Egypt
On 7th June 1916 he embarked on HMAT Huntspill at Alexandria and sailed for Marseilles where they arrived on 14th June 1916
From Marseilles William travelled by train to Etaples where he was posted to the 4th Infantry Base Depot. On 21st July 1916 William travelled to Berteaucourt where he joined the 46th Infantry Battalion, 4th Australian Infantry Division part of 1 ANZAC Corps in the Somme Sector.
On 10th February 1917 William received wounds in his right arm and chest and was admitted to the 12th Australian Field Ambulance before transferring to 45th Casualty Clearing Station. On 11th February 1917 he was admitted to 1/1 South Midland CCS where he died of his wounds. He was buried at Dermancourt Communal Cemetry near Albert.
HMAT Anchises
Tel el Kabir Training Camp Egypt
On 7th June 1916 he embarked on HMAT Huntspill at Alexandria and sailed for Marseilles where they arrived on 14th June 1916
From Marseilles William travelled by train to Etaples where he was posted to the 4th Infantry Base Depot. On 21st July 1916 William travelled to Berteaucourt where he joined the 46th Infantry Battalion, 4th Australian Infantry Division part of 1 ANZAC Corps in the Somme Sector.
On 10th February 1917 William received wounds in his right arm and chest and was admitted to the 12th Australian Field Ambulance before transferring to 45th Casualty Clearing Station. On 11th February 1917 he was admitted to 1/1 South Midland CCS where he died of his wounds. He was buried at Dermancourt Communal Cemetry near Albert.