The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1572) Private William Edgar Wilson, 24th Infantry Battalion, 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 Nathan Boyd, the story for this day was on (1572) Private William Edgar Wilson, 24th Infantry Battalion, AIF, First World War.

1572 Private William Edgar Wilson, 24th Infantry Battalion, AIF
Died of wounds: 6 August 1916

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private William Edgar Wilson.

William Wilson was born in 1897 in Camperdown, Victoria, one of five children born to Robert and Nancy Wilson. Both of his parents died when he was relatively young. His elder sister, Ethel, became his guardian. At the outbreak of war in 1914, he was employed as a letter courier at Essendon Post Office, having previously worked in the post office at Kerang.

Having served a year in the citizen’s forces, Wilson was 18 years old when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on the 19th of April 1915. He wrote to his sister Ethel to inform her of his enlistment, noting:

“Well Ethel I cannot possibly undo what I have already done. I volunteered over a week ago and was passed and accepted. I will get back alright, don’t worry about that Girlie- it is far better for me to go on my own account than to be forced to go as they are going to be shortly. Now, bear up and think of things in the right light and you will see I am doing everything for the best. I will be down to see you before I go but for God’s sake, be brave and I will get back alright.”

Private Wilson was assigned to the 24th Battalion and embarked on the troopship Euripides in May 1915, destined for Gallipoli.

He arrived on the peninsula at the end of August 1915, and soon fell ill with dysentery. He was sent to Malta before being sent to England, arriving there in October 1915. After recovering in hospital, he embarked for France in March 1916, but was again taken ill on his arrival at the front. He spent several months recovering at the 26th General Hospital at Etaples before re-joining his unit at the end of July.

Wilson’s first major action of the war was to take place near the small French Village of Pozieres. German forces had a distinct advantage around the village, holding the high ground which enabled them to launch devastating attacks on advancing troops.

The offensive at Pozieres took place over 42 days, with Australian forces making as many as 19 separate attacks against German positions. Australian divisions succeeded in capturing Pozieres on 5 August, but not without tremendous cost. By the end of the battle, allied casualties totalled 23,000 men captured, wounded or killed.

Private William Wilson was among the wounded. On the final day of the offensive, Wilson was hit by a high explosive shell which badly wounded him. He was taken by stretcher bearer to a nearby dressing station where he died of his wounds a day later. He was 19 years old.

The nurse who tended to the young Private’s wounds wrote to his sister Ethel to console her and detail her brother’s final moments.

“His condition was very serious and the medical officer gave us no hope of saving him. We did our best for him, but he eventually got worse and died the following afternoon. He was a splendid patient, so good and so brave and was always thinking he was such a trouble to us.

“When I said I would write to you he asked me to send his fondest love to you and told me most specially to tell you not to worry about him. He had done his bit and died quietly and nobly. The end was peace and his face after death was so calm and restful. No words of mine could give you the slightest comfort in your great sorrow but please accept my sincerest sympathy for your brave soldier brother.”

The Camperdown Chronicle noted the young private’s passing, describing him as being “of cheerful and bright disposition and a fine example of Australian Manhood.”

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 William Edgar Wilson, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meghan Adams
Researcher, Australian War Memorial