Informant; Private:5060 Harold Hungerford KILPATRICK   Private:467 George Thomas KING was in my Platoon Number 8 of B Company 33rd Battalion. I saw his grave marked in a small open cemetery near Messines Hill. Told he was killed by concussion while in the cook-house. His brother "GUNBOAT KING" Private: 465 William Edwin KING of the same platoon was previously wounded at Messines had been in Hospital in England will probably know details.

London.

  

 

William was a single 32 year old Labourer from Bobby Whitlow, Bingara, New South Wales upon enlistment.

William and Elsie King were married in 1923 at Bingara, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:11973/1923 and had 5 children. 4 girls and 1 boy, Nett,Joan,Ted,Kath and Eva.

John and Catherine King had 10 children, 7 boys and 3 girls. John Ernest King born 1875 at Tamworth N.S.W. Birth Cert:19975/1875 and died in 1915 at Bingara, N.S.W. Death Cert:11978/1905. James Alfred "Alf" King born 1876 at Tamworth, N.S.W. Birth Cert:7049/1876. George Thomas King born 1878 at Armidale, N.S.W. Birth Cert:7738/1878 and died in 1917 at Messines, Belgium. Reuben Herbert King born 1880 at Armidale, N.S.W. Birth Cert: 8954/1880 and died 1954 at Bingara, N.S.W. Death Cert:6626/1954. Arthur Edgar King born 1882 at Bundarra, N.S.W. Birth Cert:25375/1882 and died in 1960 at Inverell, N.S.W. Death Cert:11809/1960.

David Thank you for your return email, and I appreciate your undertaking to keep a lookout should my grandfathers medals surface. As you probably know my grandfather received some nasty wounds, and I have clear recollections of his wasted arm associated with those wounds. My mother Nett Sawyer (nee King) was the eldest of my Grandfathers marriage to Elsie Hartog, Mum is still alive and is now 87, she still has a number of items relating to her father, amongst which is a broach issued by the Bingara council to returned servicemen. An illustration of that broach is illustrated on you web site issued to my great uncle Herbert King whose medal you have. I believe that Mum may also have some photographs of my grandfather, anyway I will let you know. As indicated Mum was the eldest of five children, the second eldest Joan never married and died approximately ten years ago, Edward (Ted) is still alive and residing at Gunnedah, Cath resides at Swan Bay and the youngest Eva passed away twelve years ago. Mum served in the Australian Army during the second world war, and ironically the last three numbers of her service number were the same as my grandfathers. I will make some inquiry with my mother regarding my great uncle George King who was killed in action regarding any location of records or indices that the family might have. Once again thanks for your help Regards Bob Sawyer

David Thank you for your return email, and I appreciate your undertaking to keep a lookout should my grandfathers medals surface. As you probably know my grandfather received some nasty wounds, and I have clear recollections of his wasted arm associated with those wounds. My mother Nett Sawyer (nee King) was the eldest of my Grandfathers marriage to Elsie Hartog, Mum is still alive and is now 87, she still has a number of items relating to her father, amongst which is a broach issued by the Bingara council to returned servicemen. An illustration of that broach is illustrated on you web site issued to my great uncle Herbert King whose medal you have. I believe that Mum may also have some photographs of my grandfather, anyway I will let you know. As indicated Mum was the eldest of five children, the second eldest Joan never married and died approximately ten years ago, Edward (Ted) is still alive and residing at Gunnedah, Cath resides at Swan Bay and the youngest Eva passed away twelve years ago. Mum served in the Australian Army during the second world war, and ironically the last three numbers of her service number were the same as my grandfathers. I will make some inquiry with my mother regarding my great uncle George King who was killed in action regarding any location of records or indices that the family might have. Once again thanks for your help Regards Bob Sawyer

David, Apoligise for being a nuisance, but I have further information regarding the three KING brothers who were original members of B Company 33 Battalion. My Grandfather, William Edwin King # 465 was one of nine children, he enlisted with his brothers George and Herbert. His remaining brothers, John, Arthur (arty) Alf, and Arnold did not serve. There were three sisters, Kitt, Violet and Suzanna. I have been informed by my mother that Suzanna King married a New Zealander, Claude Purcell and moved to that country in the 1930’s, unable to have children they adopted a girl who was named Marie, the reason that I am informing you of this is because after the death of my great grandfather and grand mother the personal effects of my great uncle George who was killed in action were forwarded to Suzanna in NZ, so!!!!! Somewhere in that country are my great uncles medals and personal effects. I have absolutely no idea or knowledge of the whereabouts of Marie. If you know of anyone I can contact in NZ regarding locating the medals it would be greatly appreciated as I would like the medals returned to the family. In relation to Herberts medals which you have purchased, Herbert married an English woman Alice in 1926, they had no children and upon my great uncles death in 1956 she returned to England. I am likewise eager to have these medals returned to the family and respectfully ask if they can be purchased. My mother informs me that she has a photograph of my grandfather taken one Anzac day, at the time he is wearing his medals, I am more than willing to provide you with a copy of that photograph. My mother also has a gold broach which is in the shape of the transport ship which took the three KING brothers overseas, and also the Bingara council medal given to returning veterans. Once again thanks for your help and assistance Regards R.W. Sawyer

David. I have spoken to my mother, and set out the following further information regarding my grandfather, William Edwin KING #465 My grandfather was one of ten children, seven boys and three girls. As shown on the 33 Battalion nominal roll, my Grandfather and two of his brothers, George and Herbert enlisted. His other brothers, John, Alf, Arthur and Arnold did not serve. The names of the King girls were, Kitt, Violet and Suzanna. Suzanna King married a New Zealander, Claude Purcell in the 1930’s and migrated to that country, unable to have children they adopted a daughter, naming her Marie. The reason that I am informing you of this is due to the fact that following the death of my great grandmother in 1932, the medals and personal effects of my Great Uncle George who was killed in action in France during 1917 were sent to Suzanna in NZ. It is obvious that my Great Aunty Suzanna is now deceased, I have absolutely no idea the whereabouts of her adopted daughter. I am keen to locate my great uncle’s medals and personal papers and have them returned to the family here in Australia, so if you can be of any assistance and know of any person or organization in NZ which might assist I would be grateful if you could inform me. My great uncle Herbert (Bert) KING #466 married an English lady, Alice in 1926, they never had any family and after his death in 1956, Alice returned to England, this accounts for his war service medals being in England. I appreciate that you have purchased the medals, but you no doubt understand the emotional attachment these medals have for members of my family, particularly my mother who was Herbert’s niece and thus I am keen to have the medals returned to the family and respectfully ask if the family can purchase them? My mother further informs me that she has a photograph of my grandfather, taken in the 1920’s after a Anzac day service, he is shown wearing his campaign medals. Along with the broach issued to returned servicemen by the Bingara Council, Mum also has a gold broach in the shape of the transport ship which took the 33rd Battalion from Australia Thanking you for your help and assistance R.W.Sawyer

Private: 466 Reuben Herbert King. 33rd Battalion AIF.

Private: 467 George Thomas King. 33rd Battalion AIF. Killed in Action

(Australian National Archives)