William Bingham

Personal Information
Date of Birth	Not known
Place of Birth	Williams, Western Australia
Death	10 Nov 1933, aged 49
Place of Death	Williams, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	32 years, 2 monhs
Description	5' 10½" (1.79m) tall; weight 175 lbs (79.4 kg); ruddy complexion, brown eyes, and brown to grey hair.
Occupation	farmer
Religion	Church of England
Address	NOK Prospect road, Armadale, Westen Australia
Next of Kin	Fathre Mr William Henry Bingham
Military Information
Reg Number	2658
Date of Enlistment	9 May 1916
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	44th Battalion, 5th reinforcement / 11th Brigade, 3rd Division
Date of Embarkation	9 Nov 1916 - 10 Jan 1917
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A8 Argyllshire
Date of Return	5 Nov 1917 - 23 Dec 1917
Ship Returned On	HMAT A32 Themistocles
Fate	Wounded in Action 10 Jun 1917 at Messines Returned to Australia
Monument	Armadale (Armadale panel) Armadale Congregational Church Honour Board
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

Entered Blackboy Hill camp six months before he was shipped to England.

On arrival in England spent three months with the 11th Training Battalion at Durrington before entering France where several weeks later (14 May 1917) he joined the 44th Battalion which was in the rear, training and re-equipping. (Inspected by GOC Army on same day).

Four days later the Battalion began a four day route march back to the Divisional area of responsibility near Steenwerck, marching by day and billeted by night. Based at Pont de Nieppe the Battalion was involved in working parties, moving to the catacombs near Hill 63 at Ploegsteert on June 4th. On June 7th as part of the Reserve, the 44th Battalion participated in the 3rd Division's attack on the Messines Ridge, becoming one of the attacking battalions at 1:00am on the 8th June, successfully capturing their target, the "green line" by 4:00am with light casualties.

However, about 300 casualties, possibly including William, occurred while trying to hang on to the ground gained. The damage was done by artillery, both German and their own. This was obviously the genesis of the shell shock that caused William to be sent back to England (2nd Birmingham War Hospital, Northfield), and eventually Australia.

Found to be unfit for further service due to advancing age and the shell shock, he was discharged at 5th Military District on 3 Apr 1918.

The West Australian 11 Jul 1917 320th Casualty List. WOUNDED... Wm. Bingham (Armadale).

Post War

A farmer at time of enlistment, he returned to the land near Williams following the war, marrying Matilda Clarke in Williams during 1920.

Death Notice "BINGHAM. — On November 10, suddenly, at his residence, Williams, William (Bill) Bingham, dearly beloved husband of Lilly, and loving father of Rene, Phyllis, Florence, and little Bill. One of the best."