Wilfred (George) Nettleton

Wilfred George Nettleton seated at left
Personal Information
Date of Birth	6 Aug 1899, aged 61
Place of Birth	Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Death	23 Jul 1961, aged 61
Place of Death	Guildford, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	17 years, 6 months
Description	5'5" (1.65m) tall; weight 129 lbs (58.5kg); fair complexion, brown eyes, fair hair.
Occupation	case maker
Religion	Church of England
Address	44 Monger street, North Perth, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father Mr William Nettleton
Military Information
Reg Number	7372
Date of Enlistment	22 Mar 1917
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	28th Battalion, 22nd Reinforcements
Date of Embarkation	13 Mar 1918 - 4 Apr 1918 to Port Suez
Ship Embarked On	RMS Ormonde
Date of Embarkation	30 Apr 1918 - 16 May 1918 to Southampton
Ship Embarked On	HMT Ellenga
Date of Return	16 Jan 1919 - 22 Feb 1919
Ship Returned On	HMAT A64 Demosthenes
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument	Jarrahdale
Medals	British War Medal

Pre War

Confession of Desertion: I, Wilfred George Nettleton do hereby confess that I am Pte George Nettleton of the 5th MD Guard Corps, Australian Imperial Force, and that I deserted from the corps on 2/10/17; and that I re-enlisted in Boulder 4/1/18 without having been previously discharged from the A.I.F. Signed 8th February 1918.

This confession was received by 5th Military District, and as he had confessed to both desertion, and having made a fraudulent enlistment, he was treated leniently.

As it appears from the annexed confession that Private George Nettleton, of D3 Depot, Blackboy Hill, Australian Imperial Force, has signed a confession of having been guilty of desertion and fraudulent enlistment, the District Commandant hereby dispenses with the trial of the said soldier with effect from this date, and orders that instead of being tried by court martial he shall suffer the same forfeitures and the same deductions from pay (if any) as if he had been convicted by a District Court martial of the same offence. And also hereby further orders that he shall suffer deductions from his pay: (1) until he has made good the value of the deficiency in his arms, ammunition, equipments, instruments, and public clothing at the time at which his absence from his corps began; (2) also until he has made good the value of the free kit obtained by him on his re-enlistment. Signed by the Acting Commandant, 5th Military District.

War Service

On entering Blackboy Hill camp George was allocated to the No.5 District Guard and sent to the Rockingham Camp, where seven months later on 2 Oct 1917 he was posted as a deserter. Obviously being held back in Australia was not to George's liking. Re-enlistment was cancelled and original one stood after he was dealt with by the District Commandant, with service to count from 13 Feb 1918.

On 15 Feb 1918 George was allocated to the 22nd reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion and traveled to England via Egypt with them.

On arrival in England he was sent to the 5th training Battalion at Fovant to prepare for France. George spent from 20 May 1918 until 5 Jun 1918 in Hurdcott hospital, and on 27 Jul 1918 he was charged with Neglecting to obey Routine Orders, being improperly dressed in London without chin strap and belt. And while in London being AWOL from midnight 30 Jul 1918 until 2:00pm 31 Jul 1918. Awarded 7 days confined to barracks, and loss of 8 days pay. In hospital again from 19 Aug 1918 until 23 Aug 1918. On 10 Sep 1918, George by Statutory Declaration, advises that his correct name was Wilfred George Nettleton, before again going to hospital from 11 Nov 1918 until 29 Nov 1918 (Inflamed pharynx). On 4 Dec he was sent to No.4 Command Depot to be returned to Australia.

Discharged at 5th Military District on 12 Feb 1919.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries - 1921 - 1922 Marrinup, mill worker; 1925 Argyle, mill hand; 1930 - 1931 Wilga with Gladys, faller; 1936 - 1937 Marrinup, mill hand; 1949 at 205 Fitzgerald street, North Perth, sawyer; 1958 at 40 Venn street, North Perth, sawyer. During 1926 George married Gladys Mabel Evans. By 1949 they appear to have separated with Gladys in 1949 living at 15 Gray road Kalamunda with Vernon and Elaine. Gladys died 30 May 1979 aged 72 in Belmont. In 1941 George attempts to enter the RAAF. Enlisted from 17 Feb 1942 with Service No 46493 until 11 Apr 1945, served as a Leading Aircraftsman, with posting on discharge being 77 Operational Base Unit.

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial