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Mother: Elizabeth Oakman. nee:.
William Oakman enlisted with the 5th Reinforcements, New South Wales Reinforcements on the
13th of April 1918 and left Sydney on board S.S. "Field Marshall" on the 19th of June 1918 and
disembarked in London, England on the 26th of August 1918. Eilliam was appointed Lance Corporal on
the 1st of September and proceeded overseas on the 22nd of November 1918. He was Taken on Strength
in the Field with the 33rd Battalion on the 7th of December 1918.
William was Charged on the 3rd of February with being Absent Without
Leave from 22:00Hrs on the 2nd of February until 12:30Hrs on the 3rd of February and
forfeited 4 days pay by Major: Francis George GRANT.
DSO. William was granted a furlo on the 12th of May and returned to England on the
19th of May and returned to Australia on the was discharged on 11th September 1919.
Postcard, real photo, G condition. What a terrific card! We have 2 diggers seated in a rickshaw
with a native driver in full local dress, in what seems to be a posed studio shot. The notation
at reverse reads 'Durban. Natal. To My own Darling Adeline from yours only, Will Oakman 18th July
1918. Though far away across the Sea, Yet in my heart you're still with me'. Will was just one
of the thousands of Aussie troops who stopped off at Durban on their way to Europe.
Postard/Photo of William was acquired at auction in February 2008 and is now in the collection.
William was a single 23 year old Carter from "Stonelea" Ingram Road, Kensington, N.S.W. upon enlistment. His mother Elizabeth
was his next of kin who loved at 41 Sterling Road, Bruce Grove, Tottenham, England.
William re-enlisted on 3rd of November 1919 and was sent to Rabaul with the Naval and Military Expeditionary Force and left Sydney on board S.S "Melusia" on the 13th of November. In Rabaul Will was seconded for duty as a stenographer to the Department of Justice. While serving in Rabaul, Oakman contracted Malaria and was returned to Australia and discharged on 10th of April 1921.
When William re-enlisted he was living at Lilly Street, Erskinville, N.S.W and his occupation was as a Stenographer. Letter received the Elizabeth H Meares of "Rosebank" 166 Glebe Road, Glebe Point, N.S.W on the 27th May 1919 stating that she was receiving seven shilling weekly from him to support his child? She stated that she was not married to William at the time of her letter?
(Australian National Archives)
Under Construction 15/02/2008.
