Military History

Enlisted 6th Reinf. 51st Bn. To NCO School 15.9.1916. Promoted to Cpl. 16.9.1916.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Suffolk’ A 23 for UK 10.10.1916.
Roll Rank Voyage Only A/Cpl.
Roll Unit 16th Reinf. 28th Battalion, AIF.
Rickard disembarked at Plymouth with the 28th Bn. 2.12.1916. He marched in to the 7th Training Bn. Reverted to rank 16.12.1916. After several months of intensive training, he proceeded overseas to France per ‘ Princess Clementine’ 21.12.1916. Rickard marched into the 2nd Australian Division Base Details (ADBD) 22.12.1916. He was taken on strength with the 28th Bn. 23.1.1917. Rickard fought in the harsh winter of 1916-17 in supporting roles on the front line trenches on the Somme (AWM 28th Bn). On the 26th March1917, the 28th Battalion movd up to support the 26th Battalion on the front line at Lagnicourt. Rickard was wounded in action in this action with a GSW to his thigh 26.3.1917. He was transferred by train to Rouen 19.3.1917 and then by HS ’Lydia’ to England 18.4.1917. He was admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital at Birmingham with GSW to hand 19.4.1917. He was transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield 8.5.1917 then discharged to Weymouth 31.5.1917. Rickard marched out to No.1 Command Depot at Perham Downs 16.6.1917. He proceeded overseas to France from Southampton 26.6.1917 and rejoined the 28th Bn. 14.8.1917.  In early October 1917 the 28th and other Bns. launched an attack on Broodseinde Ridge. Rickard was wounded in action in this action in Belgium with a GSW to his head 4.10.1917. The 3rd AIF Ambulance transferred him to 10th Casualty Clearing Station, Belgium.
Rickard died of wounds received in the Field. He was buried Plot 20, Row H, Grave 1, Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Lijssenthoek, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. Site 1 ¾ miles SW of Poperinghe.
Final Rank Private 28th Australian Infantry Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Deceased, died of wounds received in the field.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes W.H. Rickard was the only son of the Rickard family of Glen Forest, WA.
AWM states date of death as 4.10.1917
Photos SS Suffolk passing through the Suez Canal 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P00998.027
              Soldier walking in winter trench 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01497
              No.1 Harefield House and 1st Auxilliary Hospital. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P02402.005
              Broodseinde Ridge. Australian Troops in Front Line Trenches October 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00948
              Lijssenthoek Cemetery, Flanders , Belgium. 1228 Australian Soldiers are buried here. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A03041
              W.H. Rickard. Image source The Swan Express 19.10.1917 p5
             

Information Source
AWM P00998.027. SS 'Suffolk' passing through the Suez Canal 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01497. Soldier walking in winter trench 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P02402.005. No. 1 Harefield House and  1st Auxilliary Hospital. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial 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 A03041. Lijssenthoek Cemetery, Flanders , Belgium. 1228 Australian Soldiers are buried here. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- William Henry Rickard
AWM Roll of Honour- William Henry Rickard
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Rickard William Henry
Swan Express


Glen Forrest, WA.

Associated Images