Portrait of 3058 Private William David Hilder, 4th Battalion from Wagga Wagga, NSW. A 26 year old ...

Portrait of 3058 Private William David Hilder, 4th Battalion from Wagga Wagga, NSW. A 26 year old bridge carpenter prior to enlisting on 17 July 1915, he embarked for overseas service with the 10th Reinforcements of the 4th Battalion from Sydney aboard HMAT Warilda (A69) on 8 October 1915. After disembarking in Egypt, he transferred to the 56th Battalion and then to the 5th Division Artillery and joined the 51st Battery of the 13th Field Artillery Brigade. After being promoted to Bombardier, he proceeded to France with the 51st Battery in June 1916. He was killed in action at Delville Wood, France on 27 January 1917 and is buried in the Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, France. He was mentioned in the Routine Orders of the 1st Anzac Corps on 9 February 1917: “On the afternoon of 28 [sic] January 1917 the 51st Battery was being shelled and was ordered to shelter. Bombardier Hilder voluntarily returned to the telephone dug-out to maintain communication with Group Headquarters although this spot was continuously under heavy shell fire. He remained at his post preserving communication with Group Headquarters until a 5.9” shell struck the dug-out and killed him. By his action he set a fine example of courage and devotion to duty.”