Wilfred George Bettenay

BLSL PH627
Card on display in Albany's ANZAC Centre
Personal Information
Date of Birth	Not known
Place of Birth	Canning Mills, Western Australia
Death	23 Aug 1968
Place of Death	Roleystone, Western Australian
Age at Enlistment	18 years, 11 months
Description	5' 6 ½" (1.69m) tall; 130 lbs (59 Kg) weight; fresh complexion, grey eyes, and dark brown hair
Occupation	orchardist
Religion	Congregational
Address	Karragullen, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father Mr Joseph Bettenay
Military Information
Reg Number	2055
Date of Enlistment	26 Apr 1916
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	44th battalion, 3rd reinforcement, C Company
Date of Embarkation	10 Oct 1916 - 2 Dec 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A23 Suffolk
Date of Return	15 Sep 1918 - 10 Nov 1918
Ship Returned On	HMNZT Arawa
Fate	Wounded in Action 4 oct 1917 at Broodseinde Returned ot Australia
Monument	Kelmscott
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

After entering Black Boy Hill camp, Wilfred was allocated to the 16th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, but this was later changed to the 3rd draft for the 44th Battalion before his departure for England.

Although he only arrived in England on the 2nd December 1916, he was quickly shipped off to France on 19 Dec 1916 aboard the HMT Princess Victoria where he eventually joined the 44th Battalion on 23 Mar 1917 in its billets at Pont de Nieppe. Part of the delay was caused by a stay in hospital during December 1916 and January 1917 with German Measles.

On 4 Oct 1917 at Broodseinde Ridge during a major attack on the enemy front line east of Ypres, he received shrapnel wounds to his scalp, hand, and right thigh, the thigh being of greatest concern. Seen initially by the 11th Field Ambulance, he was sent on to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, and then the 22nd General Hospital in Amiens. On 16 Oct 1917 he was evacuated on HS Pieter de Connick and transferred to Eastbourne Military Hospital in England.

Nearly six months later (4 Apr 1918) his damaged leg was amputated. It was not until Sep 1918 that he was repatriated to Australia, and then some time passed in No 8 Australian General Hospital at Fremantle before he was discharged by 5th Military District on 8 Mar 1919.

Post War

Wilfred is recorded as having been fit for service and therefore enlisted.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Bettenay, of Irymple, Karragullen, have been notified that their second son, Wilfred, has been wounded.

Wilfred has a Ford wagon, registered number 12611.

1925 - 1968 electoral rolls list Wilfred as living at "Irymple", Karragullen, an orchardist with wife Sidney Mary [nee Gibbings] who he married in 1923. Son Keith Arthur was born on 22 Jun 1924; Dorothy M b. 4 Jan 1926; Elanor M b. 1927; and Phillip J b. 1931.