WILLIAMSON Alfred (Alf or Mickey) Edward

Military

Enlisted 15 May 1916 Unit 3/42 Battalion Regimental Number 2181

On Enlistment 22 years 2 months, 5'3",115 lbs, chest 30 ins, eyes and hair brown, deformed fingers on left hand; occupation labourer, next of kin brother Joe of Eumundi.

At a farewell in Eumundi received an Australian Military Pocket Book which Alf kept as a diary during the war and later donated to the Eumundi Museum. (most later dates taken from this diary).

Embarked 7 September 1916 from Pinkenba on the Clan Macgillvray. Arrived England 2 November 1916. Arrived France at Boulogne from Folkestone on 15 February 1917 and in March taken on strength of 42nd Battallion.

August 1917 Third Battle of Ypres October 1917 Defence of Passchendaele January 1918 Two weeks leave in London April 24, 1918 - gassed - then to Rouen Hospital August 8, 1918 - advance started from Hamel August 25, 1918 - gassed again August 30, 1918 - in hospital at Bristol, England September 9, 1918 - left hospital to convalesce in England.

The Chronicle 31 May 1918 p2, reports that Pte Alf Williamson has been gassed and wounded on the Western Front.

The Chronicle 5 July 1918 p5, OUR HONOUR LIST - JUNE`S ADDITIONS The seven casualty lists made public during the past month gave this district a share of their unwelcome attentions. The list on the 6th....., but six days later no less than 7 of our lads were mentioned;..... Among the wounded were....., and Pte. Alfred Edward Williamson of Eumundi (gas).

December 18, 1918 - boarded Aeneas at Liverpool for return to Australia

Handwritten Kings Message 1918 - The Queen and I wish you God-speed, a safe return to the happiness and joy of home life with an early restoration to health. A grateful Mother Country thanks you for faithful services (sgd) George R.I.

February 5, 1919 - arrived Melbourne February 7, 1919 - Boarded Nestor for Brisbane March 27,1919 - discharged from army. Medals - British War Medal. Victory Medal.

More of Alf's war history is told in a published book "The Life and Times of Percy (Major) Williamson". Percy became Alf's step-son.

Personal

Alf's parents Edward Williamson and Margaret Nixon married in Charleville in 1890 and had 5 children there by January 1899. Alf was born in 1894.

The family moved east from Charleville towards Brisbane in 1899 with Margaret dying on the way. The youngest child, a boy, died soon after, leaving Bill 9, Joe 7, Alf nearly 6 and Mary 3. For a time the family lived in Brisbane. In 1904 Edward moved to Eumundi with Bill and Joe and worked as a timber-getter, leaving Alf and Mary in care in Brisbane. Alf joined his father the following year.

In 1907 Edward was killed by a falling tree, leaving Bill 16, Joe 14 and Alf 12 to fend for themselves. Bill had learning difficulties so Joe became the dominant figure in the family. Mary never went to Eumundi and later joined the Salvation Army.

Alf was still at Eumundi school, but soon joined his brothers taking whatever work they could get - timber-felling. labouring, working on farms and in the local sawmill, which extended to the post-war period.

On his return from WW1 Alf married Ruby Wilkin in 1920 and became step-father to her four-year-old son Percy, whose natural father, Jimmy Rubenach, had died while in the army. Alf and Ruby had another five children, two sons then three daughters.

Ruby died of septicaemia in 1937 a few days after the birth of the last child. A niece helped Alf look after the family until he married widow Ethel Etheridge.

In 1940 Alf, Ethel and the three daughters moved from Eumundi to Brisbane. During WW2 Alf served in the Volunteer Defence Corps. Post WW2 he worked at various activities around Brisbane including being a lift-driver. He died in 1964.

Eumundi & District Roll of Honour Board, Eumundi Memorial School of Arts Hall, Memorial Drive, Eumundi

Maroochy Shire Honor Roll, Shire Chambers, Bury Street, Nambour