Military History

Watling enlisted with the Field Artillery and proceeded to Maribyrnong, Vic. for further training. He was placed with the10th FAB .9th Reinf.
Embarked Melbourne per RMS ‘Orontes’ 23.12.1916 for UK.
Roll Rank Gunner.
Roll Unit 10th Field Artillery Brigade, 9th Reinf.
Watling disembarked with his Brigade at Plymouth 17.2.1917. He marched in to the No 3 Training Camp at Parkhouse 18.2.1917. After a period of intensive training, he proceeded overseas to France 19.6.1917. He was transferred to 4th Divisional Ammunition Column (DAC) 2.8.1917 and the next day to the 10th FAB 3.8.1917. He fought in the 3rd Battle of Ypres which began with a preliminary bombardment on 11.7.1917. (Australian Army- Messines). Watling became sick in the field with dysentery 28.8.1917 and was admitted to the 24th General Hospital at Etaples 28.8.1917. He was evacuated to England 18.9.1917 (Reported ill West Australian Newspaper 19.10.1917 p7). Watling was admitted to Addington Park War Hospital in Croydon for convalescence 19.9.1917. He proceeded overseas from Southampton 15.11.1917 and rejoined the 10th FAB. Watling was appointed Driver 14.3.1918 and fought against the German Spring Offensive in July and the Battle of Amiens in August. Watling was wounded in action in the Battle of Amiens 9.8.1918. He received a GSW to his leg- severe fracture to the left femur. He was evacuated tor England 17.8.1918 and admitted to the General Military Hospital at Edmonton 17.8.1918. Watling was transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield to convalesce and was then was listed for repatriation to Australia. He marched in to Weymouth for return to Australia 3.1.1919.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Margha’ 18.1.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 23.2.1919.
Discharged 5.7.1919.
Final Rank Driver, 10th FAB.
Medical Condition Invalided, shell wound.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Orontes' 16.8.1918. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source NMMA No 0002761
             Parkhouse, AIF Training Camp, 1919. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM D00280
             DAC Ammunition packhorses, France, December 1916 . Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00090
             Road to Amiens 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph AWM E01952
           
Information Source
Australian Army website Messines, http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/History-in-Focus/The-Battle-of-Messines-1917
AWM D00280. Parkhouse, AIF Training Camp, 1919. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced fro the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00090. DAC Ammunition packhorses, France, December 1916 . Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01952. Road to Amiens 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph  sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Frederick Watling
AWM Battle of Messines
AWM Battle of Amiens.
NAA: B2455, Watling F
NMMA No 0002761. HMAT 'Orontes' 16.8.1918. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source National Maritime Museum of Australia

West Australian Newspaper
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories.SLWA

4 Peel Street, East Guildford, WA (Mr and Mrs Wm. A. Bell)





 

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