William James Adam (1893-?), gardener and soldier, was born in Jarrahdale, WA. By the time of his enlistment, he was living in Kelmscott.
William enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 1st of May 1916 at the age of 23 and was posted to the 3rd Reinforcements, 44th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service in October 1916 and arrived at the front lines in May 1917. William saw heavy action during the bloody battles of late 1917 and early 1918. He was sick many times and suffered a burn injury to his left foot, forcing him to recover in hospital for 5 months. William spent no less than 8 months in hospital throughout the war due to various injuries and illnesses.
William returned to Australia in May 1919 which is where our knowledge of his journey ends.
During the war, William fought in 9 battles and spent 241 days in the trenches. He received the British War Medal, Victory Medal, 2 Good Conduct Stripes and 2 Long Service Stripes.
Record completed by Helen Austin
Sources
National Archives of Australia
2045
3rd Reinforcements, 44th Battalion
1st May 1916
23 Years, 4 Months
Jarrahdale, Peel Region, WA
British Australian
Church of England
Kelmscott, Metropolitan Region, WA
5"11
Gardener
No
Father - William Allen
No
1st May 1916 - 17th July 1919
10th October 1916 - 6th May 1919
14th May 1917 - 16th October 1917, 19th March 1918 - 16th May 1918, 14th October 1918 - 11th November 1918
9: Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, Passchendaele, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Somme 1918, Ancre 1918, France and Flanders 1916-1918
Yes – Injured and Sick multiple times. Injured – (October 1917, severe burn injury to left foot, nearly 5 months in hospital). Sick – (January 1917) (February 1917, 3 weeks in hospital due to mumps) (May 1918, 2 weeks in hospital) (September 1918, 4 weeks in hospital) (March 1919, nearly 4 weeks in hospital due to appendicitis).
British War Medal, Victory Medal, 2 Good Conduct Stripes, 2 Long Service Stripes
