William Thomas Wills
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 30 Jan 1891 |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
| Age at Enlistment | 49 years |
| Occupation | Carpenter |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 'Westminister Orchards', Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Emily Mary Wills |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W18471 |
| Date of Enlistment | 27 Dec 1940 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 5th Australian Lines of Communication Provost Company |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Monument(s) | ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
During WW1 William had served in France with the British Artillery. On 29 Mar 1924, 33 year old Bill (25 page street, Westminster, a carpenter) boarded the SS Orvieto in London for Fremantle where he disembarked on 29 Apr 1924.
Electoral Roll entries: 1925 at 19 Simpson street, West Perth, carpenter; 1931 Byford, farmer; 1937 - 1943 Byford, orchardist.
War Service
Original enlistment was part time on 27 Dec 1940 where he was posted as a Trade Group III Clerk with the Karrakatta Supply Depot. on 23 May 1941 he was admitted to the Dental Section of 110th Australian Base Hospital. From 1 - 7 Sep 1941 he was granted leave and on 24 Oct 1941 he was posted to 7th Workshop & Park Company and on 1 Nov 1941 he was transferred to Maintenance Details RAE. On 31 Dec 1941 he was promoted Corporal while attached to the Base Hospital. On 12 Feb 1942 he transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to take his discharge on 12 Feb 1942 at his own request.
William was then called up for full time duty in the CMF on 16 Mar 1942 at Claremont and was posted to Western Command Provost Company. On 7 Apr 1942 he was promoted to Acting Corporal. The unit was renamed '3 Australian Corps provost Company in June 1942, and William reverted to private on 24 Aug 1942 before transferring to the 5th Australian Lines of Communication Provost Company on 28 Aug 1942 where he was immediately promoted Temporary Corporal. Between 30 November and 15 Dec 1942 he successfully attended a Provost Training Camp at Melville, and soon after, from 30 Jan - 18 Mar 1943 he attended a Training Cadre at Williamstown in Victoria, again with success.
On 30 Dec 1943 William had his rank of Corporal confirmed and he remained with the provos until he transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot on 12 Nov 1944. He was discharged on 14 Nov 1944 at Karrakatta.
Post War
In late 1944 his postal address was "Westminster Orchards", Byford. Electoral Roll entries: May have moved to Victoria?
Notes