Military History

Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Infantry Bn. 8th Reinf. AIF
Embarked from Australia per HMAT 'Anchises' 1.9.1915 for Egypt
Hunt disembarked in Egypt with the 11th Bn. He marched in to training camp at Zeitoun and joined the No.1 Training Bn. He joined the MEF at Zeitoun 21.10.1915 and proceeded to Alexandria for embarkation for Gallipoli. He was taken on strength with 8th Reinf. 11th Bn. at Sarpi Camp, Lemnos 12.12.1915 before proceeding to ANZAC. Hunt reverted to rank on joining the Bn. He was evacuated with his unit to Alexandria, Egypt, per ‘Lake Michigan’ 6.1.1916. In Alexandria, he joined BEF and embarked per ‘Consignment’ for France 22.3.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 25.3.1916. The 11th Bn. was billeted at Fletre and acclimatised to battle conditions on the Front at Armentieres from mid May 1916. (Wikipedia) Hunt was admitted to hospital in the field sick with bronchitis 26.5.1916 and transferred per HS ‘St Dennis’ to England with pneumonia. He rejoined his Unit in France. Hunt was admitted to Connaught Hospital, Aldershot with pleurisy 29.3.1917. He was granted Furlough 2.5.1917-3.5.1917. He proceeded overseas to France from Perham Downs 3.6.1917. He reverted to rank, from Corporal to Pte 3.6.1917. Hunt returned for duty with 11th Bn. 12.9.1917. He fought with his Bn. at the Third Battle of Ypres at Glencourse Wood and at Broodseinde Ridge. Hunt returned to England for duty as servant of Lieut. Col. Rafferty DSO 28.5.1918. Hunt marched in as Private with the 1st Training Bn. Hurdcott 25.9.1918. He proceeded overseas to France 12.10.1918 and rejoined the 11th Bn. 14.10.1918 The 11th Bn fought in the advance on the Hindenburg Line in September 1918. He embarked for Sutton Veny, England 17.1.1919 and was hospitalised at Bulford 10.2.1919. Hunt returned to Codford 27.2.1919 and was listed for return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Kildonian Castle’. 21.3.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 27.4.1919. also recorded as 5.5.1919.
Discharged 29.6.1919.
Final Rank Private, 11th Infantry Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes On his return to Australia W. J. Hunt took up a saddlery business in Newcastle Rd.  Midland. (Swan Express 5.12.1919 p6)
Photos  HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph source AWM H16157
              Broodseinde Ridge. Australian Troops in Front Line Trenches October 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00948
              Australian Artillery passing through a captured section of the Hindenburg Line, Oct. 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source
             AWM E03506

Information Source
AWM H16157. HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph sourced from the Pictoiail Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00948. Broodseinde Ridge. Australian Troops in Front Line Trenches October 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E03506. Australian Artillery passing through a captured section of the Hindenburg Line, Oct. 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll William John Hunt
NAA: B2455, Hunt W J 2625
11th Bn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Battalion_(Australia

Frederick St, Cloverdale. WA.

Associated Images