Austin Henry (Paddy) Bingham

Austin Henry (Paddy) Bingham

Western Mail 7 Sep 1917 page 19
King's Park Memorial walk, May drive
Personal Information
Date of Birth	12 May 1891
Place of Birth	Williams, Western Australia
Death	30 Aug 1916
Place of Death	Mouquet Farm, Poziérs, France
Age at Enlistment	24 years, 11 months
Description	5' 9 ¾" (1.77m) tall ; 206 lbs 93.44 kg ; ruddy complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair
Occupation	Farmer
Religion	Church of England
Address	NOK Prospect road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr William Henry Bingham
Military Information
Reg Number	5339
Date of Enlistment	17 Feb 1916
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	16th Battalion, 17th Reinforement / 4th Brigade 4th Division
Date of Embarkation	17 Apr 1916 ‒ 14 May 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A60 Aeneas
Fate	Killed in Action 30 Aug 1916 at Mouquet Farm, Poziérs
Monument	Armadale War Memorial (Armadale panel) Armadale Congregational Church Honour Board Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour Villers-Bretonneux Memorial Australian War Memorial
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Austin Henry Bingham was born at Williams, Western Australia in May 1891. His parents were William Henry and Hannah Maria Bingham of Armadale, Western Australia and he had six brothers and six sisters. Little is known of his early life other than he was employed in the farming industry.

War Service

Enlisted with his brother 5338 Arthur Edward Bingham and like him he was initially sent to the No, 2 Area for training. Four weeks later he was allocated to the 11th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, and then on 1 Apr 1916 he was transferred to the 17th draft for the 16th Battalion. While at Blackboy Hill camp he was treated in their Clearing Hospital for German Measles from 3 - 10 Apr 1916.

Paddy traveled to Egypt aboard HMAT A60 Aeneas, but fell ill and was admitted to the ship's hospital from 1 May 1916. On arrival in Suez on 14 May 1916, he was admitted to the Government Hospital with German Measles. He was discharged to duty at Tel-el-Kebir on 19 May 1916.

Seemingly recovered, he departed Alexandria on 7 Jun 1916 aboard the HMT Ionian, arriving in Marseilles on the 14 Jun 1916. On arrival, Austin was sent to the 4th Division's Base Depot at Étaples. While there he again required a brief period in hospital, still affected by the measles (5-7 Aug 1916). After a further two weeks in the base depot he proceeded to join his unit. In trying to stay with his brother he seems to have compromised his health.

Austin was taken on strength by the 16th Battalion at Vadencourt on 25 August 1916. Vadencourt is a small village north of the Somme mid way between Amiens and Albert. The Battalion was at the time moving into the front lines to replace the 14th Battalion, preparatory to attacking Mouquet Farm.

Austin's death was reported in The Sun (Kalgoorlie) on 8 Oct 1916, but it had occurred, along with 30 KIA, 150 WIA and 51 others missing in action on 30 Aug 1916 as the 16th Battalion was being relieved by the 47th Battalion at Mouquet Farm. A significant proportion of the deaths and injuries were caused by their own heavy artillery.

Austin's body was not recovered, so he was one of the 51 MIA and hence he is commemorated on the 16h Battalions panel at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.

227th Casualty List... KILLED IN ACTION....A. H. Bingham (Armadale), previously reported ill.

"Enlisted 15th February, sailed on 17th April as part of the same unit as his brother, and was killed in action in France on the 29th August, 1915."

[Note: Army records show the 30th to be correct date. However, the family continue to commemorate the 29th with annual notices in the West Australian until his brother Bill died in 1933.]

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  Section of Villers-Bretonneux Memorial L. Reynolds photo
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  Villers Bretonneux Memorial photo 2015 L Reynolds

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Memorial