Bawden, William Gilbert Harvey

318 Corporal William Gilbert Harvey Bawden (Croix de Guerre) - 44th Battalion AIF

William Gilbert Harvey Bawden was born in Fremantle WA in 1897 to William and Emma Bawden. He had four younger siblings, Dorothy (1900), Emma (1908), Phyllis (1910) and Kenneth (1912).

The family lived at 9 Hampton Road Fremantle.

William was educated locally and after leaving school he took up work as a Clerk. During this time he also served in the Cadet Scheme with the 86A Cadets which was based in Fremantle.

On the 7th January 1916, aged just 18, William successfully enlisted in Perth WA.

The medical examiner recorded William's attributes as follows;

Height - 5 feet 8 & 1/4 inches tall;

Weight - 175lbs

Chest Measurement - 37-42 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Grey;

Hair - Brown;

Religious Denomination - Congregationalist

After a few weeks in the training camp William was assigned to the newly forming 44th Battalion at Claremont Showgrounds Camp. He was assigned to "B" Company. 

The unit trained in WA until the 6th June 1916 when they embarked from Fremantle Harbour on the HMAT Suevic.

After arriving in England the 44th Battalion went to the Salisbury Plains where they trained with the rest of the 3rd Australian Division. William had a few instances of going AWOL on the next few months. Just minor infractions, probably due to a young man on his first trip abroad exploring his new surroundings.

In November 1916, the 44th Battalion departed for France and William and his unit saw their first taste of Western Front life near Armentieres. They spent the next few months in this sector. He was promoted Corporal in February 1917.

On 8th March 1917, William was wounded by shrapnel. He had been evacuating French civilians when the Germans were shelling a factory in Armentieres. He risked his life by entering the building and rescuing French women and children. During the course of his efforts William was hit by shrapnel in the head, seriously wounding him.

He was evacuated to No.13 General Hospital in Boulogne where it soon became evident that William's eyes had been permanently damaged. After a period of time at this hospital he was sent across the English Channel and was admitted to No.3 London General Hospital Wandsworth. His right eye had been removed and it appears there was also permanent damage to his left eye.

While he was recovering from his serious injuries word had come through that the French President had granted the award of a French Croix de Guerre to William due to his actions in saving French civilians.

William Bawden returned to Fremantle later in 1917 and was then discharged from the AIF on the 19th February 1918. He continued to attend the No.8 AGH in Fremantle, as from his head wound, a big part of his forehead had to be restored by transplanting chips from his own shin bones. This was completed by Dr Hadley at the Base Hospital.

William was subsequently granted a pension of 68/- per fortnight

In the early 1920’s due to eye trouble he returned to England to receive treatment. This was sponsored by the Braille society and St Dunstan's Hospital. While in England William trained as a masseur and medical electrician. While undertaking this new career path William also took part in rowing events on the Thames. William also took part in swimming events and 

In one particular race of five miles duration, there were 38 competitors and William finished fourteenth.

He had earlier married his nurse Mabel Lumsden and they resided in England.

William Gilbert Harvey Bawden died in London England on April 24th 1930. The cause being meningitis brought on by his war wounds.