WILLIAMS, Reginald

Reginald’s birth to James and Christina Williams was registered at Warialda in 1897.  He was a nineteen year old Farm Labourer working at Oakwood north of Inverell when he enlisted in December 1915.  He joined the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs who left Inverell together for camp on 12 January 1916.

He joined the 33rd Battalion, C Company which trained at Armidale and Rutherford prior to sailing from Australia on HMAT A74 Marathon in May 1916.  After nine weeks at sea, the Battalion arrived in England where further training took place at Salisbury Plain. In September Reginald was transferred to the 3rd Battalion and sent to France. He was wounded in action in November and returned to England for treatment of a gunshot wound to his foot.  The following month he was detached for duty with the 177th Tunnelling Company, returning to his Battalion in January 1918. 

Private Reginald Williams was Killed in Action on 12 July 1918 and buried at La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck, France.  His few personal possessions were returned to his Mother.

He is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the Cenotaph and Honor Roll.  In 1919 he was one of 215 men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade.  Reginald’s name is also inscribed on the Oakwood Honor Roll now housed at Inverell Pioneer Village.