PRIVATE WILFRED DEWHURST
4406 – 18th Battalion / 1st Aust Convalescent Depot
Wilfred Dewhurst was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England about 1881 the son of James and Ellen Dewhurst. In 1881 the family were living at 5 Manor Sutton Street, Blackburn and consisted of James (38) grocer, Ellen (37) and their children James (12), Richard (9), Doctor Joseph (4), Ellen (3) and Wilfred (7mths).
Ten years later in 1891 they were residing at 119 Cleaver Street, Blackburn and were James (48), Ellen (47), Richard (19) Doctor J. (14), Ellen (12) and Wilfred (10).
A decade followed and the family were residents at 1 Boland Street, Blackburn in 1901 where citizens of the household were Ellen (widow & grocer) (57), Richard (29), Ellen (22) general assistant and Wilfred (20) joiner and carpenter who had been apprenticed to William Wesley.
On February 20, 1902 Wilfred (21) married Mary Parker (21) at St Peter’s Chapel, Watson Street, Blackburn, Lancashire.
Sometime later Wilfred came to Australia.
At Liverpool recruiting depot on November 8, 1915 the thirty-five year old carpenter and joiner applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the medical examination Attestation forms were completed which show he was 163cms (5ft 5¼ins) tall, weighed 70kgs (154lbs) with a chest expansion of 86-95cms (34-37½ins). Complexion was fair with grey eyes and fair hair. Distinctive marks were a scar on side of his neck and seven vaccination marks on the upper left arm. Roman Catholic was his religion. Next-of-kin was his wife Mary Dewhurst of 23 Cornelian Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, England. He was sworn in the same day.
Basic training commenced with the Depot Battalion until December 22, 1915 and allotted to ‘C Coy’ 18th Battalion up to March 1, 1916 when he joined the 11th Reinforcement to the 18th Battalion. His regimental number was 4406 in the rank of Private.
The reinforcement embarked at Sydney on April 9, 1916 on board HMAT A71 Nestor, arriving at the Suez then sailed to England and assigned to the 5th Training Battalion camp.
On October 16, 1916 he marched into the Codford Cookery School at Rollestone.
The following year he proceeded from Southampton to France on August 13, 1917 arriving at the 2nd Aust General Base Depot at Havre the next day. On November 30 he marched out to join his unit and was taken on strength with the 18th Battalion on December 3, 1917.
His wife advised Base Records that her address was now 39 Harwood Street, Bottomgate, Blackburn.
He was wounded in action on April 15, 1918 receiving a gunshot wound to his right leg and transferred to the 11th Aust Field Ambulance then admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station. Two days later was conveyed on A.T.37 to Rouen entering the 1st Aust General Hospital. He left for Trouville for admittance to the 74th General Hospital until May 7 then he entered the 7th Convalescent Depot in Havre. He was discharged to duty on July 16, 1918 and returned to his unit on July 24. Two days later he was taken on strength with the 1st Aust Convalescent Depot in Havre.
He proceeded on leave on September 6 to the United Kingdom and returned to duty on September 26, 1918. He was there when Peace was declared.
On February 15, 1919 he was struck off strength due to the closing of the depot then attached to the Aust Recreation Depot on March 1, 1919 and to be Temporary Corporal.
He marched out on June 10, 1919 to the 2nd Aust Base Depot with the second draft for return to England and arrived at Sutton Veny to the No. 2 Group camp and reverted to the rank of Private.
Accompanied by his wife and child, Private Dewhurst embarked for Australia on the H.T. Berrima on September 6, 1919. The ship docked in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on November 8, 1919.
At the Anzac Buffet in the Sydney Domain the same day he appeared before a medical board in which he stated ‘I am not suffering from any disability due to or aggravated by war service, and feel fit and well.’
(Sgd) W. Dewhurst
Discharge was recommended.
Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on December 31, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment.
A copy of his Will was forwarded to the 2nd Military District on January 24, 1920.
The British War Medal (39216) and the Victory Medal (38520) were issued for serving his country to Private 4406 Wilfred Dewhurst, 18th Battalion.
From 1930 to 1954 he and his wife Mary and daughter were listed living at Myora, Moore Street, Hurstville with his occupation as iron moulder.
© Donna Baldey 2014