(12) Signaller William Charles Gladwin

The Australian Contingent

Signaller William Charles Gladwin (12) was born in Benfleet in about 1875 to William and Sarah Gladwin. His parents remained in the area and in 1918 were living at the Hoy Yard. He emigrated to Australia in about 1899, where he married Marie.

He enlisted in the 13th (New South Wales) Battalion of the Australian Infantry A.I.F. on 15th November 1915, and sailed to the UK on 31 March 1916 on the HMAT Star of Victoria A16. He was assigned to the 3rd Platoon of ‘A’ Company.

His battalion were part of the assault on Mouquet Farm, which took place from 5th August to 16th September. It and the rest of the Australian forces suffered very heavy losses.

He was killed in action on 29th August 1916. A shell came in and killed him and two other signallers. He left a widow and a small daughter. He was 40 years old.

A description of his death is in the official archives.

W.C.Gladwin recorded on the Australian National War Memorial, in Canberra.
Christine Coley

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