Adams, William Henry

4746 Private William Henry Adams 16th Battalion AIF

William was born at Carnarvon Western Australia to Amelia Adams. Much of his early life is unknown but he had been working as a Pearler for a time in the North West of WA.

However when William enlisted into the AIF in November 1915, his address was 21 South Street South Fremantle.

He was 26 years old on enlistment, and the medical examiner described William as being;

Height - 5 feet 5 inches tall;

Weight - 131 lbs;

Chest Measurement - 35-36 inches;

Complexion - Dark,

Eyes - Hazel;

Hair - black.

His religious denomination was listed as Church of England.

After initial training in the depot camp at Blackboy Hill, John was assigned to the 15^th reinforcements to the 16^th Battalion which was training at Belmont Camp

Before they embarked the 15th Reinforcements had their group photo taken at Belmont Camp.

The 15th Reinforcements embarked from Fremantle on the 1^st April 1916 aboard the transport ship Ulysses.

After arriving in Egypt, William was sent to the 4th Training Battalion and was with them when they departed for England in June 1916. Once in England William was admitted to hospital with mumps and when released he spent 3 more months with the 4^th Training Battalion, embarking for France in October 1916.

He then served with the 16th Battalion on the Somme through the French winter of 1916/17 and took part in his unit’s assault at Bullecourt on 11^th April 1917 where he was unfortunately killed in action.

No eyewitness records remain as to his death & unfortunately his body was not recovered so he is commemorated on the Villers Bretonneux Memorial France.

His mother Amelia whom resided at “Denham” Shark Bay would receive his personal effects & medals.