We will remember them

Today is Uncle Willie’s day. William Wade is my great-uncle, my mother's, mother's brother.

Uncle Willie was working as a telegraph operator on cruise ships sailing out of Sydney and Melbourne bound for the Pacific Islands when war broke out in 1914. When his ship returned to Sydney in early 1915 Willie enlisted at Liverpool in Sydney and sailed away to the War with the 4th Division Signal Company, Australian Engineers.

His two brothers Hugh Joseph Wade (Uncle Joe) and Edward Wade (Uncle Eddie) from Fairlie, South Canterbury, New Zealand also

enlisted and went to the War.

Uncle Joe lost a leg in France. He recuperated in Walton on Thames Hospital, Surrey and eventually returned home. Uncle Eddie was gassed and recuperated in Codford Hospital, Salisbury Plain. He was sent back to the Front as a cook and didn't return home until after hostilities had ceased. Eddie was awarded the Military Medal for bravery.

Willie wasn't as lucky as his brothers. He was shipped from Alexandria to Gallipoli and on the way his ship, The Southland was torpedoed and sunk. Most of the soldiers, including Willie, were rescued and sent on to Gallipoli. Willie survived Gallipoli and was one of the last to be evacuated. He was then sent to France and fought there before being moved on to Ypres. It was here he made the ultimate sacrifice on 21 October 1917 and now lies buried in a small military cemetery in this town. Willie was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for “conspicuous bravery and unflinching devotion to duty during offensive operations on 26th September 1917.”

This morning we visited Willies grave and paid our respects. Willie is a long way from home. We will remember you.