David Dickson Waddell
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known 1890 |
| Place of Birth | Isle of Bute, Scotland |
| Death | 6 Aug 1916 |
| Place of Death | Poziéres, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 25 years, 3 months |
| Description |
5'3½" (1.61m) tall ; 121 lbs 54.885 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; light brown hair |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Keysbrook Siding, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr David Waddell |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 4019 |
| Date of Enlistment | 24 Aug 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, 12th Reinforcements / 4th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Dec 1915 ‒ ? Jan 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A31 Ajana |
| Fate | Killed in Action 6 Aug 1916 Poziéres area |
| Monument |
Keysbrook Roll of Honour Villers-Bretonneux Memorial Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 24 Aug 1915, and on 16 Oct 1915 he was allocated to the 12th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion, and travelled with them to Egypt aboard HMAT A31 Ajana which left Fremantle on 22 Dec 1915 and arrived in Egypt in January 1916. On 15 Jan 1916 David was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital in Abbassia to receive treatment for Venereal disease , and was discharged to duty with the Overseas Base at Ghezireh on 17 Mar 1916. Ineffective service was 62 days. Six days later he was transferred to Zeitoun, and on 2 Apr 1916 he was taken on strength by the 16th Battalion at Serapeum.
The battalion proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force in France from Alexandria on 1 Jun 1916, arriving in Marseilles aboard HMT Canada on 9 Jun 1916. On 6 Aug 1916 the men from the 16th Battalion were on carrying duties for the 6th, 7th and 12th Brigades who were manning the front lines near Poziéres before the attack on German lines, there and at Mouquet Farm. Due to heavy German artillery fire, the men were put to work digging trenches for protection from it. However, the battalion War Diary records three casualties resulting from the enemy bombardment and David was one of those.
Notes