Military History

Embarked Melbourne per ‘Themistocles’ for Suez 28.1.1916
Roll Rank Private then Gunner.
Roll Unit 14th Reinforcement, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade.
Baldwin disembarked at Suez with the 1st Division Ammunition Column. He was taken on strength in Cairo 9.2.1916. He entrained to Alexandria and joined the British Expeditionary Force and embarked for France. He disembarked at Marseilles 4.4.1916. Baldwin was posted to No.4 Section Division Ammunition Column 8.6.1916. He was attached to 103rd Battery 9.9.1916. He rejoined Division Ammunition Column unit 14.10.1916 and was promoted to Bombardier. 27.11.1916. Baldwin was admitted to Hospital sick with Rheumatism 26.1.1917. He was transferred by Hospital Ship ‘Western Australia’ to England. After discharge from hospital he marched out to Larkhill 7.5.1917. Baldwin proceeded to join his Unit on the Somme in France 4.6.1917. He was promoted to Temporary Bombardier 3.9.1917. He then reverted to Driver 4.5.1917. Baldwin was again promoted to Bombardier 17.11.1917. He requested a return to Australia and was subsequently transported to England pending return for family reasons. (His parents had 2 sons on active service, deaths in extended family and need to help with businesses).
Embarked HMAT ‘Persic’ from England for Australia 21.12.1917.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 5.2.1918.
Discharged 19.2.1918.
Final Rank Temporary Bombardier, 1st Division Ammunition Column.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Photo  HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM 304038
             1st DAC in Flanders, Belgium 1917 Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E02018
             1st DAC 19.9.1917 transporting ammunition to Birr Cross Road at Ypres. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0073

Information Source
AWM 304038. HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E02018. 1st DAC in Flanders, Belgium 1917 Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0073. 1st DAC 19.9.1917 transporting ammunition to Birr Cross Road at Ypres. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll -William Baldwin
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Baldwin W
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

9 Ethel Street, Guildford, WA.
Salisbury Street, Subiaco, WA.


 

Associated Images