SAPPER JOSEPH EDWARD WILSON
3395 – 1st Tunnelling Company
Warwick, Queensland was the birthplace of Joseph Edwin Wilson on September 30, 1887 the son of John and Ellen (nee Webber) Wilson. In 1916 his address was Clermont, Qld.
At the recruiting depot in Rockhampton, Qld on January 12, 1916 the twenty-eight year old timber getter applied to enlist for active service abroad. Personal particulars taken during the preliminary medical examination show he was single with the height of 175cms (5ft 9ins) and a chest measurement of 94cms (37ins). Passing the examination his application was accepted by the recruiting officer. Forms of Attestation were completed adding further details of weight at 78.1kgs (174lbs) with a dark complexion, green eyes and dark hair. Religious faith was Church of England. Next-of-kin nominated was his father Mr John Wilson of Pratten via Cunningham, Qld. He signed and took the “Oath of Allegiance” the same day under the name Joseph Edward Wilson.
Basic training commenced on January 25, 1916 at Enoggera camp, Brisbane with the 11th Depot Battalion until March 22 when he was transferred to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District) to join the Tunnellers’ Reinforcements.
The recruits formed part of the No. 4 Company which embarked from Brisbane, Qld early in May, 1916 aboard HMAT A69 Warilda for Sydney, NSW. Six officers and 152 other ranks together with the 1st Reinforcements of fifteen other ranks made up the two sections.
At Rosebery Park, Sydney, NSW on May 12, 1916 he joined their Headquarters and two sections (8 officers & 153 O.Rs.) plus 1st Reinforcements consisting of one officer and seventeen other ranks for final training. The rank of Sapper and the Regimental number 3395 in No. 4 Company was assigned to him.
The 7713-ton transport departed Sydney, NSW on May 22, 1916 and collected in Melbourne, Victoria the No. 5 Company recruited from Victoria, South Aust. & Tasmania made up of Headquarters and 2 Sections (8 officers & 173 men) (3 M.D.). 1 Section from Tasmania (3 officers & 76 O.Rs); also 1st Reinforcements for No. 5 Company (17 men from Vic. & 8 men Tas.) The ship departed on May 25, 1916 for Adelaide, S.A. to collect one Section of 3 officers & 76 O.Rs with 1st Reinforcements of 8 O.Rs.
Docking at Fremantle, W.A. on June 1, 1916 added No. 6 Company recruited from W.A. of 14 officers and 325 O.Rs along with 1st Reinforcements of 1 Officer & 32 O.Rs departing the same day.
Durban, South Africa was reached on June 16, 1916 and Cape Town on June 21, 1916 while St Vincent completed the African ports of call on July 7, 1916. Discipline was fairly good except at intermediate ports where Away without Leave caused concern. The fifty-eight day voyage experienced remarkable pleasant weather terminating at Plymouth, England on July 18, 1916. Four, Five and Six Companies comprising of 1064 officers and other ranks were detrained to Amesbury and Tidworth to begin training for the front at Perham Down’s camp.
On August 28, 1916 the Reinforcements proceeded overseas to France and the next day marched into the 2nd Aust General Base Depot.
Sapper Wilson was taken on strength with the 1st Tunnelling Company on September 30, 1916.
He was sent sick to the 47th Divisional Rest Station on March 30, 1917 with Mumps then transferred to the 7th General Hospital at St Omer later that day with his illness noted to be slight. On April 19 he was discharged to Base Details and rejoined his unit on April 20, 1917.
On September 25, 1917 he was wounded in action in the field and as the wound was slight he remained on duty. Base Records advised his father on October 17 of this slight wounding and remaining at duty.
The address where to write to him was also included on the form.
After twelve months service he was entitled to wear Blue Chevrons on his uniform.
He was counted in an audit on July 17, 1918 with his company.
A month later he was granted leave and proceeded on August 18 and rejoined on September 4, 1918.
He was with his unit when Peace was declared in November, 1918 and the Tunnelling Companies remained as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with rehabilitation of the country repairing roads and bridges.
His company was recalled to Base Depot on February 12, 1919 to prepare for their return to England. They arrived at the A.G.B.D. remaining until February 24 when they departed France and crossed the English Channel and marched into the No. 3 camp at Parkhouse the next day. While there his Kit was inspected and an inventory taken and these items were issued on February 27:
Singlet and Towel
Unserviceable items were withdrawn and replaced:
Boots, Breeches, Jacket and Putties.
He also went for a final medical examination and found to be fit for General Service on February 27, 1919.
On March 19, 1919 he marched out to the Reserve Brigade Aust Artillery camp at Codford for demobilisation. Another Kit Inspection took place on April 1, 1919 and he received the following:
Boots, Hat and suit of Khaki Drill.
Sapper Wilson embarked from England on April 20, 1919 on board the H.T. Boonah for the voyage to Australia. On May 22, 1919 his father was advised by Base Records that his son was returning home. The ship docked in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on June 8, 1916 and he was transhipped to the Sardinia for the journey to Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) and disembarked three days later. He returned to Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.) on June 14, 1916.
He was medically assessed at No. 6 Aust General Hospital that day and his medical assessment showed ‘no disability’ as result of his war service and was found dentally unfit and treatment would be completed.
Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on July 7, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment. At the end of the year he was residing at Pratten, Qld and working as a grazier.
The British War Medal (17107) and the Victory Medal (16709) were issued to Sapper 3395 Joseph Edward Wilson, 1st Tunnelling Company for serving his company.
Pratten near Allora, Qld was his residence up to early 1930’s and his occupation was a labourer. In 1936 he was living at Whetstone near Inglewood and in 1943 was at Bell near Dalby, Qld and still a labourer. By 1949 Lola Avenue, Millmerran was home and in 1954 his address was care of S.A. McCasker, Marshall Street, Goondiwindi while working as a labourer.
Joseph Edwin (Edward) Wilson died in Queensland on May 1, 1955 aged 68 years.
© Donna Baldey 2011