The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (9080) Private James Williams, 8th Australian Field Ambulance, 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 Troy Clayton, the story for this day was on (9080) Private James Williams, 8th Australian Field Ambulance, First World War.

9080 Private James Williams, 8th Australian Field Ambulance
KIA 30 September 1918

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private James Joseph Williams.

James Williams was born on 6 October 1879 near Yass, New South Wales, the only child of William Stephen Williams from Cornwall in England, and his wife Pauline. Little is known of his early life. In 1888 he was enrolled as a boarder at St Joseph’s College in Hunter’s Hill. By this stage his family had moved to Surry Hills. A year later, Williams moved schools to Stanmore Superior Public School. He later went on to work as a commercial traveller.

In 1902 James enlisted for service in the Boer War. Sailing from Sydney on 20 May 1902, he arrived in Durban after the war had ended. So he enlisted in the South African Constabulary, serving for a little over a year before obtaining a discharge. Information from his family relates that he remained in South Africa for another five years, working as a sanitary inspector in Pietermaritzburg before returning to Australia in 1908.

James Williams married Catherine O’Donnell, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Woollahra in March 1912. His first son, James, was born the following year, but died in infancy. His second son, Alan, was born in February 1914. At some point James took up work as a tram driver.

James Williams enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915. He did not leave Australia for active service overseas until the following February. By that time, Kate was pregnant with his third son, Joseph, who would be born the following September but would never meet his father.

Private Williams was posted to the 8th Field Ambulance and was first sent to Egypt, leaving for France within days of his arrival. In April 1916, not long after reaching France, Williams was called to Anzac Headquarters and informed that he was to be seconded to the Town Major of Estaires. The town major, probably a British officer, was in charge of Estaires as a military garrison – directing billeting, water supply, traffic control and stores – as units and formations of the British and Dominion armies moved through. Williams continued to work for over two years in the headquarters of this officer in charge of the garrison town.

In July 1918, Williams returned to the 8th Australian Field Ambulance. He spent a few weeks in England on leave in August, returning to his unit in early September. In late September he was directed to act as a stretcher bearer for the 29th Battalion as it took part in the battle to capture the Hindenburg Line near Bellicourt.

On the morning of 29 September 1918, the 20th Battalion advanced towards the German line, passing through American troops who had launched the battle earlier. The men struggled to make headway in the confused battlefield under heavy German fire, but eventually managed to advance and join up with the attacking troops on their flanks. Private Williams had “a heavy night’s stretcher bearing”.

James Williams’ mate, Archie Ridgeway, was serving as a stretcher bearer with the neighbouring 30th Battalion that night. Williams ran into him as the action died down, and they talked before Williams went to have a sleep in a hole in the side of a trench. At around 3 o’clock the following morning, a German artillery shell landed near where Williams was sleeping, killing him instantly.

Ridgeway wrote to Catherine, saying “as soon as it broke day I went across and saw him … He did not appear to be knocked about, he looked just the same as if he was asleep … I did all I could for Jim and I saw he had the best burial possible under the trying circumstances … It was so unfortunate because we came out of the line the same night, and it was the last time the Australians were in action.” Archie added, “I miss Jim very much because we were pals and were always in each other’s company for nearly three years.”

Both of James Williams’ sons served in the Second World War. Neville, who was born after Williams had left Australia, carried a postcard sent by his father from France in 1918. One side the card read, “To Joseph Ian Neville, love, Daddy”. On the other, Catherine had written, “Bring this home with you. Fond love from Mum”. Both sons survived.
James Williams is buried in the Bellicourt British Cemetery under the words “The dearly loved husband of Catherine, and Father of Alan & Neville.” He was 39 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private James Williams, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section