| Service number | 2681, WX1576 |
|---|---|
| Ranks Held | Private, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel |
| Birth Date | 07 August 1899 |
| Birth Place | Australia: Western Australia, Perth |
| Final Rank | Colonel |
| Service | Australian Army |
| Unit | 2/43rd Australian Infantry Battalion |
| Place | Perth |
| Conflicts/Operations |
|
| Gazettes |
Published in London Gazette in 1943-10-14 Published in London Gazette in 1943-06-24 Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1944-03-16 Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1944-01-06 |
Colonel William John Wain
Rolls
-
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):
- Conflict
- Second World War, 1939-1945
-
Honours and Awards:
- Unit
- 2/43rd Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- Second World War, 1939-1945
- Rank
- Colonel
- London Gazette
- 14 October 1943 on page 4545 at position 2
- Commonwealth Gazette
- 06 January 1944 on page 6 at position 9
-
Honours and Awards:
- Unit
- 2/43rd Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- Second World War, 1939-1945
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel
- London Gazette
- 24 June 1943 on page 2865 at position 23
- Commonwealth Gazette
- 16 March 1944 on page 650 at position 41
-
First World War Embarkation Roll:
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):
- Conflict
- Second World War, 1939-1945
Timeline
| Date of birth | 07 August 1899 | |
|---|---|---|
| WW1 Service 1 | 1915-06-14 - 1916-02-24 | Private 7th battalion |
| Date of embarkation | 26 August 1915 | |
| WW1 Service 2 | 06 March 1916 | 59th battalion 24th Feb-1 |
| WW1 Service 3 | 15 July 1919 | 15thmachine gun Company (later 5thmachine gun battalion ) 16 Mar 1916-to discharge |
| Date commissioned | 03 February 1926 | |
| Interwar Service 1 | 03 February 1926 | lieutenant 14th battalion |
| Interwar Service 2 | 05 May 1930 | captain |
| Interwar Service 3 | 23 February 1933 | Reserve of Officers |
| Interwar Service 4 | 23 February 1934 | 14th battalion |
| Interwar Service 5 | 25 January 1938 | 6 Infantry Brigademachine gun officers |
| Interwar Service 6 | 01 August 1938 | RAA (M) Hvy Bty |
| Interwar Service 8 | 14 January 1940 | 11 battalion |
| Interwar Service 9 | 14 January 1940 | 13 Brigademachine gun offr (seconded) |
| Career summary 1 | 01 May 1940 | Seconded from 13 Brigade to 2/16th battalion |
| Career summary 2 | 01 May 1940 | major 2/16th battalion |
| Career summary 4 | 06 November 1941 | lieutenant colonel 29 Dec 1941 (bd 1 |
| Appointment | 1941-11-16 - 1943-07-22 | Battalion: 2/43rd; Rank on appointment: major, temporary lieutenant colonel ; Appointed from: 2/16th battalion ; Reason for end of appointment: age ?? |
| Career summary 3 | 1941-11-16 - 1943-07-22 | temporary lieutenant colonel, commanding officer 2/43rd battalion |
| Career summary 5 | 04 November 1942 | wounded in action |
| Career summary 7 | 27 February 1943 | Returned to Australia |
| Career summary 9 | 06 August 1943 | command 5 Garrison Brigade |
| Career summary 8 | 26 August 1943 | Mention in Despatches (for 1 May-22 Oct 1943) |
| Career summary 10 | 03 November 1943 | Companion of the Distinguished Service Order |
| Career summary 11 | 1944-01-30 - 1944-03-30 | commanding officer Tasmania Lines of Communication Area |
| Career summary 12 | 1944-03-30 - 1944-08-01 | commanding officer 1 Aust Beach group |
| Career summary 13 | 07 November 1944 | Reserve of Officers |
| Career summary 6 | [evac from El Al with anxiety neurosis] | |
| Citations 2 | For most distinguished service and devotion to duty during the period 23 Oct to 23 Jan 43. Lt.-Col. W.J. WAIN commanded 2/43 Aust. Inf. Bn. throughout the battles at El ALAMEIN with outstanding ability and continuous gallantry. In 24 Aust. Inf. Bde's operations of July/November, in which the Bn. took a major and continuous part, Lt-Col. WAIN inspired his men by his unshakeable determination to close with the enemy and give no ground. | |
| Citations 3 | Near SIDI ABD EL RAHMAN between 31 October - 1 November, 2/43 Bn. was holding the extremity of a salient on ground vital to both ourselves and the enemy. This position was held, although it was overlooked by enemy positions on two sides and subjected to some six attacks in fourteen hours by enemy tanks and infantry with heavy fire support. Lt-Co; WAIN moved about to direct operations, heedless of severe fire, encouraging his subordinates by personal contact, and skilfully bringing fire to bear as a result of his personal observations. | |
| Citations 4 | It had not been possible to reinforce the Bn. in daylight, but despite casualties in arms and personnel, the Bn. clung to its position, counter-attacking for lost ground, until the enemy withdrew. On 1 Nov. Lt-Col. Wain was blown out of his OP by a shell, but despite the shock and the effects of the blast, he continued to direct operations and refused evacuation until 3 November, when the situation was stabilised. | |
| Citations 5 | Throughout the period under review Lt-Col. Wain has inspired his unit by these and similar acts of gallantry, by his meticulous attention to detail in planning and by his drive in training and leadership. | |
| Interwar Service 7 | 7 Hvy Brigade RAA | |
| Served | 1914-1918 Command: ; Service: Western Front | |
| WW2 Service 1 | El Alamein | |
| WW2 Service 2 | New Guinea |