Champion, William Augustus

No.2519 – Sergeant William Augustus Champion – 44^th Battalion AIF

William Augustus Champion was born in Newcastle NSW in 1881 though later moved across to Western Australia. In 1910 he married Catherine Duggan in Fremantle and they had three children James, Catherine and Gladys. They resided in King Street East Fremantle. William was working as a tramway motorman when he enlisted into the AIF at the Fremantle Drill Hall on the 21^st February 1916. However, the 1916 census lists William living at 3 James Street Fremantle.

The medical examiner found William to be 5 feet 10 inches in height; weight of 168 lbs; chest measurement of 35-40 inches; fresh complexion; grey eyes and dark brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. After serving as a member of the 5^th Military District Guard, William was attached to the 13^th Reinforcements to the 28^th Battalion with the rank of Corporal. On the 5^th May 1916 he was transferred to the 15^th Reinforcements to the 28^th Battalion where he would stay till October. On the 16^th October 1916 he was attached to the 5^th Reinforcements to the 44^th Battalion AIF. He left Fremantle with this group aboard the H.M.A.T. “Argyllshire” on the 9^th November 1916 and they disembarked at Devonport England on the 10^th January 1917. As soon as they arrived the men set out for the 11^th Training Battalion at Durrington on the Salisbury Plains. During this time William had the rank of Acting Sergeant.

On the 2^nd February 1917 he was admitted to Tidworth Military Hospital and on the 21^st was admitted to Fargo Military Hospital. He returned to the 11^th Training Battalion on the 13^th March 1917. On the 29^th June he reverted to Corporal and the next day was once again admitted to Fargo Hospital. William was found to be in ill health and unfit for active service, so on the 18^th August he left the 11^th Training Battalion for Perham Downs and then to Weymouth to wait for the ship home. On the 26^th September 1917 William left England aboard the H.M.A.T. “Borda” arriving in Fremantle in November 1917. On the 30^th November 1917 he was discharged from military service.

William’s health continued to deteriorate after he returned home and he died on the 22^nd January 1921. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery RC CC 621.