Military History

Hamersley enlisted 2.2.1916 and joined the 63rd Depot 5.4.1916. He was discharged as permanently unfit 2.10.1916.
Hamersley re enlisted 29.3.1917 with the Field Coy. Engines in Sydney. He entrained for Melbourne to the Field Coy. Engineers Depot Reinforcements 21.11.1917- 15.12.1917
Embarked Melbourne per HMAT ‘Nestor’ A 71 to Egypt 21.11.1917.
Roll Rank Sapper
Roll Unit Field Coy. Engineers, September Reinforcements
Hamersley disembarked in Egypt. He marched in to the Australian Camp at Suez 18.12.1918. After a brief period he embarked at Port Said per HMAT ‘Kashgar’ for England 18.1.1918. Hamersley developed influenza at sea 2 5.1.1918. He marched in to No. 3 Camp at Parkhouse 14.2.1918. He was attached to Australian Field Coy. Depot at Wendover from the Field Coy. Engineers 15.4.1918. In June, Hamersley proceeded overseas to France 30.6.1918. He was transferred  back to the 6th Field Coy Engineers 12.8.1918. He proceeded to France via Southampton  30.6.1918 and marched out to the 2nd Division Engineers at Rouelles 10.8.1918 and taken on strength with the CE6 12.8.1918.  Hamersley was detached from the Engineers to join the 2nd Australian Pioneer  Bn.13.1.1919.  He was detached as a guard to the 25th Casualty Clearing Station and then to the Divisional Engineer HQ 12.2.1919. Hamersley was detached to the 7th Field Coy.Engineers  12.3.1919. He returned to England for demobilization and was granted leave with pay and subsistence for 6 months, for non military employment training with the Australian Caterpillar Tractors 30.4.1919. He washospitalised with a debility 10.9.1919- 7.11.1919 then he returned to Sutton Veny. He was given indefinite leave 17.11.1919 and returned  to Australia.
Embarked HT ‘Runic’ 20.12.1919.
Returned/Disembarked per ‘Runic’ 29.1.1920.
Discharged 29.2.1920.
Final Rank Sapper.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Hamersley Married Kate Irene Clarke 13.10.1919
Photos HMAT 'Nestor' A 73. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB 0607
               2nd Division Field Engineers 1918 on the Amiens-Beaucourt Road. Photographer unknown, photograph source E01952
               HMAT 'Runic'. Donor R. Teague. Photograph source AWM P00707.027

Information Source
AWM  PB 0607. HMAT 'Nestor' A 73. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E01952. 2nd Division Field Engineers 1918 on the Amiens -Beaucourt Road. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  P00707.027. HMAT 'Runic'. Donor R. Teague. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Rolls- William Edward Douglas Hamersley
NAA: B2455, Hamersley W E D


Walkaway, Geraldton. WA.

Associated Images