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Died: 22nd February 1969. Moree, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:43554/1969.
Mother: Alice. Williams. nee: Alice Fox. - Alice Groves.
Ernest Williams enlisted at Narrabri, N.S.W. with the 8th Reinforcements, 33rd Battalion AIF on the 16th June 1917
and embarked on board HMAT A16 "Port Melbourne" on the 16th July 1917.
’On the 16th April 1918, the rumours of a new German Offensive against Amiens seemed to be definitely confirmed. A German
prisoner, taken by the French, volunteered the that Villers Bretonneux was to be attacked the next day. The 5th Australian
Division, which had come line on the night of the 6th/7th April, and held the sector from Villers Bretonneux (inclusive) to
the Somme canal was warned to be ready to retake the town, if captured by attack from the north ; and other preparations and
counter-preparations were made. About 4 A.M. on the 17th, Villers Bretonneux, Bois d'Aquenne, to the west of it and the
village of Cachy, to the south, were heavily drenched for three hours with phosgene, mustard and irritant gasses. But no
assault followed. As soon as possible the local garrison, consisting of the 6/London(58 Dvn) and the 33rd Australian
Battalion, was got out of the shelters in the town into the trenches around it. The gas shelling was repeated in the evening
from 4 to 7 P.M., next morning and on the following days, being increased so as to include Bois I'Abbe, but with greatly
reduced results. Nevertheless it was impossible for anyone to move that area without feeling some ill-effects from the
mustard gas, and there were, in all, 1,074 gas casualties.’
’The gassing of Villers Bretonneux seemed to point to the probability of its not being attacked, but by this time air
photographs had revealed the signs of imminent operations; an increase in the number of enemy batteries had also been
noticed, while the roads were being registered by German artillery. There were, however, also indications that the Albert sector
might be the objective of an attack which might extend to Arras and Vimy Ridge. On the 21st there was much air fighting
near the Somme, and the famous airman Richthofen was brought down.1. That night a man of the 4th Guard Division, captured by
the 8th Dvn , disclosed the fact that his formation had just relieved the 9th Bavarian Reserve Division in front of
Marcelcave , and would attack Villers Bretonneux at 3 A.M. on the 23rd. Counter-preparations were continued, and the
German railway centres were bombed, particularly Chaulnes .2 'No infantry assault materialized on the 23rd, two deserters
came in from the 77th Reserve Division, just arrived from Russia, which had entered the line on 20th, south of the 4th Guard
Division, opposite Cachy, and the French captured a gunner of the Guard Ersatz Division opposite Hangard. All these men
said that the relief of the line divisions by " storm " divisions had been completed :1. the infantry were ready to advance;
the bombardment would begin early on the 24th and. last two and-a -quarter hours: and the attack
would be assisted by new German tanks, which were already in position near the front line. 2 It
is from the fact that tanks were used to punch a hole in the British line on either side of
Villers Bretonneux, and that, in consequence, the Germans gained possession of the town and ground
on either side for a short time, that the fighting on the 24th derives its interest.’
Ernest was Wounded in Action after being affected when he was Gassed
on the 18th of April 1918.
Note: 33rd Battalion Colour Patch on Corporal in foreground. (Eggs-a-Cook)
(Photos: Never a Backward Step. History of the 33rd Battalion AIF.)
Ernest was a single 26 year old Labourer from Gulargumbone, N.S.W upon enlistment, he lived and worked with his Uncle Harry Fox who was his next of kin.
After the war Ernest work as a Bush Worker at the Aboriginal Station "Walhallow" at Quirrindi, N.S.W. under Mr
John Milne, who wrote to the Army Record on behalf of Ernest regarding his Army Discharge Certificate and Medals on the 14th of September 1933. Ernest
had a sister named Pearl. (no records found)
Ernest is buried at the Moree Cemetery with five of his former comrades from the 33rd Battalion. They are: Private: 46 Benjamin CLAVERIE.
33rd Battalion AIF. Private: 743 Arthur George COPPOCK. 33rd Battalion AIF. Private: 2308 Michael Alfred FRANCIS.
33rd Battalion AIF. Private: 2323 William Henry Alfred HINDS. 33rd Battalion AIF. Private: 1874 James
MORRISON. 33rd Battalion AIF. Private: 3399 Ernest WILLIAMS. 33rd Battalion AIF.
(Moree Cemetery. D Harrower 2020)
(Australian National Archives)
Under Construction 20/10/2010.
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