Military History

Wilson was promoted to Prov/Sgt. with the Australian Medical Corps (AMC) General Reinf. prior to embarkation 1.4.1916, however, the Nominal Roll cites him as holding the position of Private at this time.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Port MacQuarie’ A39 for UK 13 10.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit Australian Medical Corps (AMC).
Wilson disembarked at Plymouth with the Medical Reinf. 12.12.1916. He marched in to the Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot (AAMCTD) 14.12.1916. Wilson proceeded overseas to France just 19 days after arriving in the UK. He embarked at Folkestone for France per the ‘Princess Clementine’, 4.1.1917. Wilson was taken on strength with the 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen 8.1.1917, then transferred to the 14th Field Ambulance as part of the 5th Division 11.9.1917. Wilson was wounded in action and suffered severe shell gas poisoning in the front lines at Ypres, in or around Passchendaele France 26.10.1917. He was evacuated to England and admitted to the 4th General Hospital at Orpington Hospital with severe shell shock and gas poisoning. Wilson was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford 17.1.1918 then proceeded to Longbridge 8.3.1918 before embarking for overseas. Wilson returned to duty with the 5th Division AMC at Rouelles and rejoined his unit in France 15.4.1917. He was hospitalized sick with enteritis 19.4.1918. Wilson rejoined his unit 20.4.1918. Wilson was KIA stretcher bearing at Bullecourt 30.9.1918. He was killed by a shell whilst working with K.Smith and L.B. Hansen (AMC) and wounded soldier E.A. Hinge. His file notes he was considered to be ‘one of the bravest stretcher bearers’ (AWM Red Cross File). He was buried at Tincourt, Boucly, New British Cemetery, 4 ¼ miles East of Peronne France.
Final Rank Private, 14th Field Ambulance, Australian Medical Corps, AIF.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal
Photo Camp Chronicle Midland
            HMAT 'Port MacQuarie'. Photograph from the A.C. Green Collection,  sourced and reproduced with permission of the Great Southern Cards
            Passchendaele 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01200
            3rd Auxilliary Hospital, Dartford, Kent.UK. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C01233
            Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H1236
            Tincourt Boucly New British Cemetery. Photographer unknown, photograph source CWGC

Information Source
AWM E01200. Passchendaele 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM C01233. 3rd Auxilliary Hospital, Dartford, Kent.UK. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H12360. Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM: Embarkation Roll William Joseph Wilson
AWM: Roll of Honour William Joseph Wilson
AWM: Red Cross Files William Joseph Wilson
AWM E0526, image sourced from the Australian War Memorial Pictorial Collection  https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E05261/
CWGC. Tincourt Boucly, New British Cemetery. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the commonwealth War Graves Commission website, http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/25100/TINCOURT%20NEW%20BRITISH%20CEMETERY
Camp Chronicle Midland.WA
Great Southern Cards. HMAT 'Port MacQuarie'. Photograph from the A.C. Green Collection, sourced and reproduced with permission of the Great Southern Cards, http://www.greatsoutherncards.com.au/UK-ships.htm
Guildford War Memorial

NAA: B2455, Wilson W J

Brooke Street, West Guildford, WA.





 

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