Sapper Lambert Williamson

SAPPER LAMBERT WILLIAMSON

6077 – Tunnelling Company Details

Lambert Williamson was born in Tamworth, NSW in 1871 the son of David and Ellen Williamson. On October 28, 1900 he married Mary Snape in Queensland and in 1903 he was working at West Mount Morgan, Qld as a miner. Their residence in 1908 was at Gordon Lane, Mount Morgan and in 1913 they were at Many Peaks then Yeppoon and 244 Alma Street, Rockhampton, Qld.

On August 26, 1916 Lambert deleted two birthdays and as a forty-three year old applied to enlist with the Aust. Imperial Forces at the Central Queensland Central Recruiting Depot in Rockhampton. Two days later he passed the medical examination. Personal particulars show he was 173cms (5ft 8ins) tall and weighed 72.7kgs (160lbs) with a chest measurement of 97cms (38ins). His vision was good and a distinctive mark was an Empyema scar [cavity made to drain lungs].

Returning two days later Attestation forms were completed and his application after concurrence with the Medical Official was accepted by the Recruiting Officer. Further information shows he had a dark complexion with brownish eyes and black hair. Religion was Roman Catholic. Next-of-kin was his wife Mrs Mary Williamson of Rose Street, Rockhampton and he allotted four-fifths of his pay to support her and their three children. He was sworn in the same day.

The names of the departing recruits were acknowledged in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin on Saturday September 2, 1916:

At the 11th Depot Battalion in Enoggera Camp, Brisbane he commenced basic training on September 2, 1916 which concluded on September 26, 1916 when he was transferred to the Miners’ camp (1st Military District). Training until October 14, 1916 when he left for further instruction at the Miners’ camp in Seymour, Vic. There he was assigned the rank of Sapper and the regimental number 6077 and placed with the December Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies.

Sapper Williamson was one of 516 Reinforcements who departed Melbourne, Victoria on October 25, 1916 at 1.30pm aboard the transport HMAT A38 Ulysses. The Australian coastline disappeared from view on October 30, 1916 with the port of Durban reached at 11.30am on November 13, 1916. Windy weather was experienced going around the Cape and arrived at Cape Town at 7am on November 19. Sierra Leone was the next port of call but their departure was delayed until December 14, 1916 as it was not safe to proceed further. Arrived at Plymouth, England on December 28, 1916 after 65 days at sea, with the troops disembarking at 1.30pm and detrained to the station at Tidworth. The following day they marched into the Aust. Details Camp at Perham Downs for further training for the front.

The Reinforcements proceeded overseas via Folkstone to France on board the S.S. Onward on January 28, 1917 and marched into the Aust. General Base Depot the next day.

On February 8 Sapper Williamson was attached to the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion which was an advanced section of the Base Depot and through duties, usually of ten days duration, he would become accustomed to war conditions while undertaking work near the lines before being assigned to a company in the field.

This changed when he was taken sick to the 12th Aust. Field Ambulance on February 14 and sent to the 1/1 S.M. Casualty Clearing Station and diagnosed with Aortic Valvular Disease the next day. A transfer to the 45th Casualty Clearing Station saw him conveyed from the field on A.T.15 to the 10th General Hospital at Rouen two days later, entering with N.Y.D. (not yet diagnosed). On February 25 he went to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Rouen with D.A.H. (Disordered action of the heart) and returned to Base on March 3, 1917. Six days later he was sent to the 18th General Hospital at Camiers suspected of having a slight case of Mumps. He was discharged to the Base Depot at Etaples on March 27, 1917.

He was transferred to England on April 8, 1917 and arrived at No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth on April 10 recorded as “PB - permanent to base” duties. While there he went before a medical board and his Statement of Case is as follows:

Origin of Disability: Prior to enlistment

Essential Facts: Age 46. Haemorrhoid pain and palpitation on exertion. Heart clear.

Present Condition: Age 46, looks older. Signs of cardio-vascular degeneration.

Board Recommendation: Permanently unfit for General Service – Fit for Home Service.

Approved: April 20, 1917. Overage.

Sapper Williamson returned to Australia departing Devonport on May 4, 1917 on board H.T. A54 Runic for Home Service. His wife was advised of his impending return on June 1, 1917. The ship docked in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on July 5, 1917 and he travelled overland to Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.)

He was admitted to the 6th A.G.H. at Kangaroo Point on July 7, 1917 and remained a patient until August 4, 1917. Medical Board findings on August 1st reports: Overage, pain over heart – sound muffled and recommended discharge. His disability (Tachycardia) [Rapid Heart Rate] was estimated to incapacitate his working ability by half and take six months’ recuperation period. He was sent to the Staff Officer & Incapacitated Returned Soldiers Section to await discharge.

He was Military Discharged on a Pension on August 16, 1917 in Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.) being medically unfit.

His Military Pension was sent to Whitman Estate, Yeppoon, Qld for the following:

Lambert Williamson granted $2.20 (£1/10/-) per fortnight from 17/8/17

Mary Williamson granted $1.50 (15/-) per fortnight from 17/8/17

Kathleen Ellen granted $1.00 (10/-) per fortnight from 17/8/17

Dorothy granted 75cents (7/6) per fortnight from 17/8/17

Richard Lambert granted 50cents (5/-) per fortnight from 17/8/17.

In 1919 they were still living at Yeppoon and his occupation was a miner. In 1925 their address was at Flaggy Rock near St Lawrence, Qld and he was a farmer and still registered residing there when he died in North Sydney, NSW.

In The Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday February 28, 1935 the following notices were published:

For serving his country Sapper 6077 Lambert Williamson, Aust Tunnelling Details was issued with the British War Medal (24519) and the Victory Medal (23691).