Skip to main content

Anzac Profile

Weetman,

Ernest George

Sergeant. 43rd Battalion AIF. SN 2450. KIA Amiens, France 16.4.1918. Age 22 years

Date Enlisted 13/03/1916
Service Number SN 2450
Age of Enlistment 23 years
Place of Enlistment Perth, WA
Place of Birth Beechworth, Victoria
Previous Military Experience Secondary School Battalion, 3 years
Occupation Bank Clerk
Marital Status Single
Religion Church of England
School Attended Guildford Grammar School
Address History Father - George R. Weetman, Nicholson Road, Cannington, WA
Cause of Death or Invalided
KIA (Killed in Action)

Military History


Weetman was sent to NCO School 3.5.1916 – 5.6.1916. He was promoted to Cpl. 6.6.1916, then transferred to 17th Reinf. 28th Battalion. Weetman was promoted to Acting Sergeant for Voyage Only to the UK 30.10.1916.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Port Melbourne’ A16 for UK 30.10.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Infantry Battalion, 4th Reinf, AIF.
Weetman disembarked at Devonport UK with his unit 28.12.1916. He reverted to rank when he marched in to 11th Training Battalion at Durrington 29.12.1916. Weetman was promoted to Corporal (subs) with the 11th Training Battalion 24.1.1917. He qualified at the Course of Instruction at the Australian Command Bombing School, Lyndhurst 25.2.1917 – 10.3.1917. Weetman was then sent to Musketry School of Instruction at Tidworth 28.3.1917- 24.4.1917. He was admitted to hospital with ingrown toe nails 29.6.1917. Weetman proceeded overseas to France with his Battalion 2.10.1917. He marched in to Rouelles 4.10.1917 and was taken on strength with 43rd Battalion 11.10.1917 and fought in the Third Battle of Ypres. During this battle he was promoted to T/Sgt 1.11.1917. He reverted to Private 29.12.1917. In February 1918 he was detached to the Brigade NCO School 7.2.1918. Weetman rejoined his Bn 18.3.1918. The 43rd Battalion fought in the German Spring Offensive at Villers-Bretonneux. Weetman was KIA in the field in France near Amiens 16.4.1918 (reported in 399th Casualty List West Australian Newspaper 14.5.1918). No personal effects were returned to his family, however, he was reported to have been buried at Bonnay British Cemetery adjoining the Civil Cemetery 1 3/4 miles North of Corbie, France. He is commemorated at  Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension, Picardie, France.
Final Rank Temp/ Sgt. 43rd Battalion.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Weetman’s brother Francis Renard Weetman was a POW and was repatriated to Australia. (West Australian Newspaper Obituary 4.5.1918)
Photos Weetman E.G.  Photgrapher unknown, photograph source AWM  H05802, 
             Weetman E.G.  in Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire 1914-18. Facs. Ed. Hesperian Press 2014 p36      
             Australian Troops marching to the Front, Third battle of Ypres. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM  E01187
             Amiens- shelled houses 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced AWM E02163
             Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension. Photographer unknown, photograph source CWGC
            


Information Source
AWM H05802. Weetman E.G.  Photgrapher unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01187. Australian Troops marching to the Front, Third battle of Ypres. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E02163. Amiens- shelled houses 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced  from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM AWM Embarkation Rolls Ernest George Weetman
AWM Honour Roll Ernest George Weetman
CWGC. Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension. Photographer unknown, photograph source CWGC, http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/17408/BONNAY%20COMMUNAL%20CEMETERY%20EXTENSION
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Weetman Ernest George
Palmer and Ashworth. Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire. 1922. Facsimile Edition Published Hesperian Press, Vic. Park. WA. 2014
West Australian Newspaper



 


Nicholson Road, Cannington, WA.



 

Associated Images

Pte. Ernest George Weetman c1915. Reproduced with permission of Hesperian Press 2014  p36
Pte. Ernest George Weetman c1915. Reproduced with permission of Hesperian Press 2014 p36
HMAT 'Port Melbourne'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from AWM B0259
HMAT 'Port Melbourne'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from AWM B0259
Australian Troops marching to the Front, Third battle of Ypres. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM  E01187
Australian Troops marching to the Front, Third battle of Ypres. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01187
Amiens- shelled houses 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced AWM E02163
Amiens- shelled houses 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced AWM E02163
Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension. Photographer unknown, photograph source CWGC
Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension. Photographer unknown, photograph source CWGC