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William Henry Gauthern

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William Henry Gauthern
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Personal Information
Date of Birth 21 Oct 1875
Place of Birth Montreal, Canada
Death 22 Nov 1953, aged 78
Place of Death Como, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 42 years, 2 months
Description 5' 6½" (1.69m) tall ; 142 lbs
64.41 kg
; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair
Occupation Clerk
Religion Church of England
Address Kelmscott, Western Australia
Next of Kin Wife , Mrs Beatrice Violet Gauthern
Military Information
Reg Number 20694
Date of Enlistment 21 Jan 1918
Rank Private
Unit/Formation Army Medical Corps, General Reinforcements
Date of Embarkation 29 Oct 1918 ‒ 12 Dec 1918
Ship Embarked On HMAT A36 Boonah
Date of Return 12 Dec 1918
Ship Returned On HMAT A36 Boonah
Fate Returned to Australia
Monument Kelmscott War Memorial (North panel)
Medals British War Medal



Pre War

Electoral Roll entries - 1916 with wife Beatrice Violet and Edward Albert Gauthern (brother?) in Kelmscott as orchardists. 1917 in Bush at Jarrahdale with wife, working as a faller. Occupation given on enlistment was clerk.

Married prior to his arrival in WA. Had previous military experience with the Royal Canadian Artillery just short of 15 years. Was missing the middle and second toes on his right foot, hence fit for Medical duties only.

War Service

Failed to reach England before the Armistice. Bill's ship was recalled after reaching Durban in South Africa on its way to England with the declaration of an Armistice. On arrival at Woodman's Point he was found to have Influenza and was hospitalised/quarantined for 23 days from 12 Dec 1918 to 3 Jan 1919. (see HMAT A36 Boonah for further details). Discharged 5th Military District 17 Jan 1919.

Mentioned in the 1917 Feb-Mar edition of "The Drill of the Foot-Hills" - no details.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries - 1924 in Kelmscott; 1925 - 1937 orchardist, in Brook road Gosnells. 1943 - 1953 a labourer with wife and William John from 1936 (carpenter son) at 32 Todd avenue, Como.

Engagement Violet Doris, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gauthern, of Gosnells, to Albert Raymond, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Clark of Gosnells (a son born 6 Nov 1935).[1]

CYCLISTS ESCAPE. SKID ON CAUSEWAY. Saved by Tram's Fender. A 71-year-old cyclist owes his life to the safety fender of a tram which swept him clear of its wheels late yesterday afternoon. The cyclist, William Henry Gauthern, of Todd-avenue, Como, was riding home over the Causeway when his cycle skidded, throwing him into the path of an approaching tram. Gauthern was in a dazed condition when he was picked up by the St. John Ambulance and taken to the Perth Hospital, and Constable Colvin, of the Police Traffic Branch, was unable to obtain full details of the accident. It was ascertained, however, that Gauthern was riding eastward over the Causeway shortly after 5 p.m. It is believed a bus going in the same direction pulled up in front of him on the "hump." Gauthern attempted to pass to the left, going between the bus and the single tram track. His cycle skidded and he fell on to the tram track almost immediately in front of an approaching tram. There was no time for the tram to pull up but the safety fender swept the helpless cyclist from the path of the tram's wheels. Gauthern was admitted to hospital suffering from concussion, abrasions and an injured shoulder. Any witnesses of the accident are asked to get in touch with the Police Traffic Branch.[2]

References

  1. "HE's BOUGHT The RING". Mirror. 11, (597). Western Australia. 25 March 1933. p. 13. Retrieved 22 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 
  2. "CYCLIST'S ESCAPE.". The West Australian. 62, (18,580). Western Australia. 30 January 1946. p. 6. Retrieved 22 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 

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