BAXTER, William
| Service Number: | 2289 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 44th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Adamstown, New South Wales, Australia , 21 October 1895 |
| Home Town: | Boulder, Kalgoorlie/Boulder, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Hairdresser |
| Died: | Perth Western Australia , 2 August 1952, aged 56 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia |
| Memorials: | Boulder Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 2289, 44th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Macquarie embarkation_ship_number: A39 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 2289, 44th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Macquarie, Fremantle |
William Baxter ledgend
William BAXTER
Regimental number 2289
Place of birth Newcastle, New South Wales
Religion Methodist
Occupation Hairdresser
Address Boulder, Western Australia
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 20
Height 5' 6"
Next of kin Mother, Mrs Nellie Baxter, 107 Richardson Street, Boulder, Western Australia
Previous military service 84th Infantry
Enlistment date 1 May 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 9 May 1916
Place of enlistment Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Rank on enlistment Private
Unit name 44th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/61/2
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A39 Port Macquarie on 13 October 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll 44th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)
Military Medal
Recommendation date: 28 May 1918
Fate Returned to Australia 23 December 1919
Medals
Military Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry in action and devotion to duty. On the night 23rd/24th May, 1918, east of VILLERS BRETONNEUX, this soldier was in charge of an outpost group of four men, 200 yards in front of our front line. When an enemy patrol advanced towards our line he skilfully handled his section and succeeded in killing one of the enemy and capturing one live prisoner. By his prompt action in an isolated post this soldier is indeed deserving of commendation. He secured identification and prevented the enemy from ascertaining the disposition of troops in this new line, although the post which this soldier held had been heavily shelled all day, he kept his men under cover and on the lookout the whole time, and then frustrated the attempt of the enemy to reconnoitre the position. Seldom has a private soldier behaved so admirably under such strenuous conditions. He set a fine example of leadership and disregard of personal safety, in his devotion to duty.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919
Discharge date 19 March 1920
Other details
War service: Western Front
Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Submitted 25 April 2015 by Paul Buchanan
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