The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (4807) Sapper William Albert Wrathall, 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company, AIF, First World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (4807) Sapper William Albert Wrathall, 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company, AIF, First World War.

4807 Sapper William Albert Wrathall, 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company, AIF
DOW 28 March, 1918
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 12 July 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Sapper William Albert Wrathall.

William was born in Hobart on 16 April 1880 to William and Annie Wrathall. He grew up in the Hobart area, where he met Mary Reed. They were married in Hobart in 1900 and in the following years were blessed with two daughters and a son.

When the First World War began, William was working as a builder’s labourer. He enlisted for service in the AIF in April 1916, aged 35, joining the 5th Tunnelling Company. He was then transferred to Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria before embarking for service in May aboard the transport ship Warilda.

In October, following several months of training in England, William was seconded to the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company to gain experience in front-line areas. At the end of December he was taken on strength of the 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company.

The year 1917 saw William’s company employed at various locations on the Western Front, including Ypres in July and again in November to repair roads, make billets for troops and make and repair trench works. William served without fanfare throughout this time and remained with his unit throughout.

In March 1918 William was gassed during a German bombardment. He was evacuated to England for treatment and recovery. During this time he learned of his wife’s death, and that his children were now in the care of his mother. He applied to be released from service so that he could return home to care for his children, but his request was denied. He returned to France in early August.

Following a night out with a fellow soldier from his unit, William and his mate began walking back to the Australian Corps Depot near Amiens, following the nearby rail line. At some point William was struck and killed by a train and his friend knocked unconscious. A long investigation by AIF authorities found that William’s death was an accident. He was laid to rest in the Pernois British Cemetery, near Amiens. To an already troubled family, this death was a terrible blow.

William’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War. There is no photograph in the Memorial’s collection to display beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Sapper William Albert Wrathall, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.