Military History

Wilson enlisted with the 28th Battalion. 5th Reinf. in July 1915. He had previously been rejected from the navy becuase of his chest (?size).  Wilson's step brother
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Themistocles’ for Egypt 3.10.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 28th Battalion, 5th Reinf.
Wilson disembarked in Egypt. He marched in to the 7th Training Battalion. Wilson attested to and joined the 51st Battalion in Zietoun 3.2.1916. He was taken on Strength with 51st Battalion at Tel- el- Kebir 23.3.1916. Wilson was transferred to the 4th Div. Signallers 18.3.1916. He marched in to Alexandria, joined the BEF and embarked per HT ‘Kinsfaun Castle’ for France 2.6.1916. Wilson disembarked at Marseilles 8.6.1916. He was admitted to the 25th General Hospital at Hardelot with tonsillitis 20.7.1916. Wilson was discharged from hospital 2.8.1916 and taken on strength with 5th Div. Signallers Coy. as Sapper 22.11.1916. The 5th Division fought an advance towards the Hindenburg Line, the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt and at Polygon Woods in 1917. In 1918 Wilson was admitted sick to hospital with Influenza 3.11.1918. He was transferred to the 3rd Aust. General Hospital at Abbeville 3.11.1918. He marched out of France for return to Australia 3.1.1919. Wilson disembarked at Weymouth and proceeded to Hurdcott Camp 1.2.1919. He was listed for return to Australia in April 1919.
Embarked per ‘Tres os Montes’ 7.4.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 14.5.1919.
Discharged 6 7.1919.
Final Rank Sapper, 5th Div. Signallers Coy.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Photo Spr. Gordon Thomas Wilson and another Pte. at Broadmeadows 1915. Photographer Darge Studios Melbourne, photograph source AWM DA09347 and AWM DA09484
           HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle 1939. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM 304038
           Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H12360
           4th Division Signal Engineers laying Communication Lines prior to battle. Photographe unknown, image source AWM E03272

Notes AWM 09484 and AWM 09347 are described as representing images of Spr.  Gordon Thomas Robert Wilson at Broadmeadows, Vic. May1915.  There is no evidence that Wilson was in Victoria at this time. He listed his step brother and guardian as Archibald Curtis Berry/ Wilson. Wilson also appears to have another brother/ step brother/ relative Robert Miller Wilson (SN 1765) who listed his next of kin as A.C. Berry/Wilson and was also born in Mt Morgan. Queensland.

Information Source
AWM DA09484. Sapper Gordon T.R. Wilson is one of the two soldiers 1915. Photographer Darge Studios Broadmeadows,Melbourne,Vic. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/DA09484/
AWM DA09347. Spr. Gordon T.R. Wilson and another soldier at Broadmeadows 1915. Photographer Darge Studios Melbourne,Vic. Photograph source from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/DA09347/
AWM  04038. HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle 1939. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H12360. Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E03272. 4th Division Signal Engineers laying Communication Lines prior to battle. Photographer unknown, image sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Gordon Thomas Robert Wilson
AWM DA09347  sourced from the Australian War Memorial Pictorial Collection Pictorial Collection,
NAA: B2455, Wilson Gordon Thomas Robert.

Railway Terrace, West Guildford, WA.






 

Associated Images