Doing our bit, Mosman 1914-1918 -- William John Earle

confirmed

Born: 9 July 1885

Died: 19 March 1948

A draughtsman who enlisted in the AIF on 16 September 1914. He embarked for Egypt on 22 December 1914 and arrived on ?

He joined the 1st Field Company Engineers, which in early March 1915 proceeded to Lemnos, Greece where it remained until it departed to land at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. He was evacuated to Lemnos on 25 June suffering from diarrhoea and returned four days later. He was again evacuated on 30 September to Heliopolis, Egypt suffering from influenza. Following his convalescence he was medically assessed as being only fit for light duties and was attached to AIF Headquarters in Cairo.

He was appointed a Second Lieutenant on 12 April 1916 and joined the 4th Pioneer Battalion which was then in the front line on the Suez Canal at Serapeum, Egypt. The Battalion embarked for Marseilles, France on 5 June and arrived on 11 June and immediately moved to northern France.

In September 1917, he was recommended for the award of Mentioned in Despatches which was awarded on 28 December 1917. The recommendation was as follows:

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the months of June, July and August, 1917 in the Messines sector.

He handled his Company with great coolness and determination in many critical situations and has carried out many valuable works."

In March 1918, he was recommended for a Military Cross which was awarded on 3 June 1918. The recommendation was as follows:

"For unfailing devotion to duty from the 26th Oct., 1917, to the 13th November, 1917, when this officer was left in charge of half of the Battalion to complete urgent forward road works from Zonnebeke to Paschendaele Ridge, the whole of the work being carried out under continuous and harassing enemy fire.

Through his personal energy, and by his untiring efforts under those very trying circumstances, the works were carried out successfully, so much so, that the Battalion received the congratulations of the C.E. Corps for the very excellent work done by those two companies."

On 13 February 1918, he was found not guilty, at a General Court Martial, of charges that he drew from his pay amounts in excess of the permitted daily amount.

He embarked for Australia on leave on 24 September and arrived on 24 November 1918. His commission in the AIF was terminated on 23 January 1919. [JSB]

Name recorded