William Heath
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth |
not known "not known" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation. |
| Place of Birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | 3 Feb 1938 |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 years, 7 months |
| Description |
5'9½" (1.77m) tall ; 144 lbs 65.317 kg ; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Bushman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | , Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Marion Heath |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 950 |
| Date of Enlistment | 13 Jul 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 32nd Battalion, C Company / 8th Brigade, 5th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Nov 1915 ‒ 18 Dec 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A2 Geelong |
| Date of Return | 22 Jul 1917 ‒ 11 Sep 1917 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A14 Euripides |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 19 Jul 1916 Fromelles Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Serpentine Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
1914 Electoral Roll lists his occupation as a miner living at 133 Parry street, East Perth
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 13 Jul 1915, and on 16 Aug 1915 he was allocated to 'C' Company of the 32nd Battalion. Travelled with them first to South Australia where the WA and SA Companies were at Cheltenham Camp. The battalion embarked for Egypt, and undertook further training there before it embarked from Alexandria on HMT Transylvania for Marseilles in southern France, arriving there on 23 Jun 1916.
Wounded in action on 19 Jul 1916, when his company was holding the front line near Fleurbaix along with A Coy. They provided patrols for 'No Mans Land' ahead of the general attack on the enemies trench system that followed. Casualties for their battalion for the day were 49 Killed in action, 215 missing, and 367 wounded. A poorly planned attack against well entrenched troops cost the Australian's badly, and which became known as the battle of Fromelles.
Treated first by the 15th Field Ambulance, he was then seen by the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station before being admitted to the 8th Stationary Hospital at Wimereux on 20 Jul 1916. Given the injury was a gun shot wound to his shoulder with compound fractures to his upper left humerus, he was evacuated to England from Boulogne on 22 Jul 1916 aboard HMHS Cambria. On 23 Jul 1916 he was admitted to the Military Hospital in Silver street, Edmonton. Three separate operations attempted to repair the damage done to his upper arm. The bone fragments do not appear to have been joined and he had no power or movement at the shoulder joint.
On 11 Apr 1917 he had recovered from his wound sufficient to allow him to be transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield where he remained until going on furlough. Determined to be unfit for general or home service for 6 months, he was granted furlough from 26 Apr to 11 May 1917, at the completion of which he reported to No 2 Command Depot at Weymouth to await a ship home to Australia.
On arrival in Australia he was admitted to 8th Australian General Hospital at Fremantle from 11 Sep 1917 until 8 Mar 1918. His final Medical Board was held on 22 Feb 1918. Discharged by the 5th Military District on 8 Mar 1918.
Post War
Notes
Best match to name on Serpentine monument. No personal address included anywhere in military records that are available.