Military History

Weetman was sent to NCO School 3.5.1916 – 5.6.1916. He was promoted to Cpl. 6.6.1916, then transferred to 17th Reinf. 28th Battalion. Weetman was promoted to Acting Sergeant for Voyage Only to the UK 30.10.1916.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Port Melbourne’ A16 for UK 30.10.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Infantry Battalion, 4th Reinf, AIF.
Weetman disembarked at Devonport UK with his unit 28.12.1916. He reverted to rank when he marched in to 11th Training Battalion at Durrington 29.12.1916. Weetman was promoted to Corporal (subs) with the 11th Training Battalion 24.1.1917. He qualified at the Course of Instruction at the Australian Command Bombing School, Lyndhurst 25.2.1917 – 10.3.1917. Weetman was then sent to Musketry School of Instruction at Tidworth 28.3.1917- 24.4.1917. He was admitted to hospital with ingrown toe nails 29.6.1917. Weetman proceeded overseas to France with his Battalion 2.10.1917. He marched in to Rouelles 4.10.1917 and was taken on strength with 43rd Battalion 11.10.1917 and fought in the Third Battle of Ypres. During this battle he was promoted to T/Sgt 1.11.1917. He reverted to Private 29.12.1917. In February 1918 he was detached to the Brigade NCO School 7.2.1918. Weetman rejoined his Bn 18.3.1918. The 43rd Battalion fought in the German Spring Offensive at Villers-Bretonneux. Weetman was KIA in the field in France near Amiens 16.4.1918 (reported in 399th Casualty List West Australian Newspaper 14.5.1918). No personal effects were returned to his family, however, he was reported to have been buried at Bonnay British Cemetery adjoining the Civil Cemetery 1 3/4 miles North of Corbie, France. He is commemorated at  Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension, Picardie, France.
Final Rank Temp/ Sgt. 43rd Battalion.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Weetman’s brother Francis Renard Weetman was a POW and was repatriated to Australia. (West Australian Newspaper Obituary 4.5.1918)
Photos Weetman E.G.  Photgrapher unknown, photograph source AWM  H05802, 
             Weetman E.G.  in Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire 1914-18. Facs. Ed. Hesperian Press 2014 p36      
             Australian Troops marching to the Front, Third battle of Ypres. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM  E01187
             Amiens- shelled houses 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced AWM E02163
             Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension. Photographer unknown, photograph source CWGC
            

Information Source
AWM H05802. Weetman E.G.  Photgrapher unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01187. Australian Troops marching to the Front, Third battle of Ypres. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E02163. Amiens- shelled houses 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced  from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM AWM Embarkation Rolls Ernest George Weetman
AWM Honour Roll Ernest George Weetman
CWGC. Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension. Photographer unknown, photograph source CWGC, http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/17408/BONNAY%20COMMUNAL%20CEMETERY%20EXTENSION
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Weetman Ernest George
Palmer and Ashworth. Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire. 1922. Facsimile Edition Published Hesperian Press, Vic. Park. WA. 2014
West Australian Newspaper



 

Nicholson Road, Cannington, WA.



 

Associated Images