WILLIAMS Robert Glyn

Robert Glyn Williams was born in Gladstone on 25th December 1895 to parents John Rupert and Martha Fanny (nee Thomas). The family was living at Brisbane Road Monkland when Robert enlisted on 4th March 1915. He was a single man who stood 5ft 7 inches tall, weighed 125 Lbs with dark complexion light brown eyes and black hair and had worked as a laborer. Following enlistment he went into Enoggera camp before embarking for overseas aboard H.M.A.T A 55 ‘Kyarra’ from Brisbane on 10th August 1915. In December 1915 he was on Lemnos Island and in camp waiting for the 5th LHR to arrive from Gallipoli before they boarded H.T ‘Ansonia’ and made the return to Alexandria. The 10th January 1916 saw them move into Meadi camp before heading to Serapeum on 23rd February. Once back in Egypt the 5th LHR came under the Anzac Mounted Division and undertook reconnaissance patrols and later would be part of the force to secure Suez. On 28th July 1917 the squadron was in the vicinity of Gamli when Robert received orders to attend Imperial School of Instruction at Zietoun where he would spend the following two weeks taking instruction. The 5th LHR formed part of the attack which led to the fall of Gaza from Turkish occupation and Robert was promoted to rank of Lance Corporal at the end of October 1917. On 8th November 1917, under heavy engagement with the enemy, they were situated in the area of Beersheba and making their way to El Sheria and when fighting in the village of Kirbet-el-Batish Robert was killed in action. His body was interred by Chaplain T. Mullins 15 yards from the tree in the small village of Kirbet-el-Batish and following the war was reburied at Beersheba Military Cemetery in grave D25. His personal effects were returned to his family aboard ‘Tofua’ in July 1918 and his sister Gladys received the parcel. Gladys later became Mrs. Dunmall and lived in Barter Street, Gympie in 1922. His brother Rupert (4145) served with 4th Pioneers and returned to Australia on 1 May 1919 to live with his wife Agnes and young family in Cooran where he worked as a sawmiller.

Shire of Noosa Roll of Honor, Shire Council Chambers, Pelican Street, Tewantin

Cootharaba Honour Roll, Pomona Hall, Reserve Street, Pomona (as G Williams)

Pomona & District Memorial School of Arts Roll of Honour, Pomona Hall, Reserve Street, Pomona

Gympie and Widgee WW1 War Memorial Gates, Mary Street, Gympie

Australian War Memorial on Panel 5

National Archives of Australia Australian War Memorial