SAPPER WILLIAM FRANCIS SCHRYVER
7436 – 3rd TUNNELLING COMPANY
A miner aged 30 years and 2 months, born in 1885 at Fremantle, Western Australia, and living at Woolgar in the Western Australian Murchison Goldfields, William Schryver completed an Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force at Menzies, W.A. on 23rd September 1916, and underwent a preliminary Medical Examination which found him fit for active service.
William was accepted for enlistment at Kalgoorlie on 27th September 1916 and was sent to Blackboy Hill near Perth where his medical condition was confirmed and he signed the Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad on 28th September 1916.
Originally given the Service Number 7426, he was later assigned number 7436 and served under this number.
William had married in 1910 and named his wife Helen May Schryver of Queens Park, Perth, Western Australia as his Next of Kin.
He trained at Seymour and Langwarrin in Victoria prior to embarkation on 4th August 1917 with the Mining Corps ‘March ’17 Reinforcements’ per HMAT A32 Themistocles, departing from Melbourne, Victoria. William was appointed ‘Acting Corporal on the voyage from Australia to Europe.
The reinforcements disembarked at Glasgow, Scotland on 2nd October 1917, and William proceeded to France on 22nd November 1917. Taken on Strength of 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company on 30th November 1917, William worked with the unit in sectors at Vermelles, Lens, Loos, Givenchy and Double Crassiers.
William took part in the Givenchy Raid:
On the morning of 24/8/18, 2 officers and 40 O.R’s of No.1 Section of the 3rd Aust. Tnlg. Coy. took part in the raid on the enemy on the Givenchy Front, co-operating with the 164th Brigade of the 55th British Division.
In order to assist the operation, North of La Bassee Canal at Givenchy barrages for two dummy raids, and also smoke barrages were put down in the Hulluch Sector. M.G’s fired 24,750 rounds in connection with this dummy raid in addition to the normal harassing fire by artillery.
The Tunnellers part in the offensive operation at Givenchy was to examine dugouts and mine entrances and to mark them “safe” or “dangerous” according to the results of examination: to search for and render harmless any mines or booby traps found: to cut all enemy electric leads: to destroy any T.M’s found in the forward objectives and to collect any information such as documents, plans, or particulars of accommodation available for troops.
The whole party was suitably equipped with rifle and bayonet as well as tools of their particular necessity. Each patrol party of the Infantry was accompanied by two tunnellers.
The operation was kept very secret. No orders were issued until 8 p.m. on 23/8/18 when the men selected were assembled on the alarm post and finally instructed by the C.O. in what their part in the raid was to be.
The raid was successful and all objectives were gained, only three casualties (wounded) among the Tunnellers.
On the night of the 24th, a Signal message was received from General Jeudwine of the 55th Division by the C.O. which read:
“55th Division send hearty thanks for the able and keen co-operation of the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company to-day”.
Lieut Colonel Commanding the 2/5 Lancs Fusiliers.
“Please accept on behalf of all ranks of my Battalion and myself our Sincere thanks for the assistance rendered by your men in the operations of the 24th inst.
Your officers, N.C.O’s and men were splendid and I cannot speak too well of them”.
Returning to Australia in 3rd August 1919 per the Konigin Louise, William disembarked at Fremantle and was discharged in 5th Military District on 2nd September 1919
Sapper William Francis Schryver was entitled to wear the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
In later years William worked as a French Polisher and played Australian Rules Football with the Perth Football Club for one season, coached cricket and was Band Master with the Young Australia League.
Following history provided by Reg Schryver:
William (Bill) was born in 1884 in Fremantle, Western Australia, the first son and third child ofSylvester Frank SCHRYVER (an American Seaman) and Isabella Fleming the eldest daughter of William FLEMING (Irish - Enrolled Pensioner Force - 28th Regiment of Foot-The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers).
William was married to Helen May HALL and they had one child, a daughter born in 1910, Helen Jessie SCHRYVER who died in 1917 aged 7 years.
He was one of fiveSCHRYVER brothers to enlist in the A.I.F. in WWI.
Spr. William Francis SCHRYVER 3rd. Tunnelling Company
Sgt. Frank Esdale SCHRYVER M.M., D.C.M. 13th. Field Ambulance
Cpl. Harold Sydney SCHRYVER K.I.A. France 6 August 1916 48th Battalion
Pte. Charles Andrew SCHRYVER 51st. Battalion
Pte. Lester SCHRYVER 48th. Battalion
He lived in East Perth for most of his working life as a French Polisher and retired to Rivervale another suburb of Perth.
One of his employers was Boans Ltd, a Perth Departmental Store and Uncle Bill (William SCHRYVER) was Father Christmas at the Staff Childrens' Christmas Party.
He diedon the 11th September 1968, aged 84 years. His wife Helen May SCHRYVER died on the16th February1973.
© Donna Baldey 2008 www.tunnellers.net
includes information provided by Reg Schryver
Further research notes:
7436 Spr. William Francis SCHRYVER, 3rd. Tunnelling Company
1261 Sgt. Frank Esdale SCHRYVER M.M., D.C.M. 13th. Field Ambulance
(Military Medal (recommended for DCM) nights of 8/9 & 9/10 June 1917 at Messines Ridge)
(Distinuished Conduct Medal 22nd October 1917 at Zonnebeke)
(Served WWII 1940-47)
2854 Cpl. Harold Sydney SCHRYVER, K.I.A. France 6 August 1916 48th Battalion
3441 Pte. Charles Andrew SCHRYVER, 51st. Battalion
(Served WWII 1941-45 as Charles Henry Schryver)
4336 Pte. Lester SCHRYVER, 48th. Battalion
(Served WWII 1940-45)