Peter WILSON

Peter Wilson. Photograph courtesy of Gilgandra Museum and Historical Society.

Per his military service record (regimental no. 2404), Peter Wilson was born at Nyngan, N.S.W. He gave his age as 21 years and 2 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer.  His description on his medical was height 5 feet 7 ½ inches tall, weight 12 stone 7 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.

He completed his medical at Gilgandra on 7^th October 1915, and was attested by Captain Nicholas at Gilgandra on 9^th October 1915. He claimed he had no previous military service.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went Menangle Light Horse Camp as reinforcement for the 7^th Light Horse Regiment.

Private Wilson received a wristlet watch at a welcome home function held for some of the Coo-ees home on leave at Gilgandra at the end of December 1915. According to the speaker, Mr Garling, said Private Wilson ‘was very keen to do his duty for his country’, and ‘had made several attempts to enlist but had been rejected. However, he underwent a course of physical training, which improved his constitution and physique to such an extent that the next time he presented himself he was accepted’.[1]

On his embarkation roll his address as time of enrolment was Myrtle Street, Gilgandra, and his next of kin is listed as his sister, Miss Christiana Wilson, Miller’s Point, Sydney, N.S.W.

Trooper Wilson departed Sydney on the HMAT Palermo A56 on 18^th April 1916, with the 16^th Reinforcements for the 7^th Light Horse Regiment.

After arriving in Egypt he was taken on strength by the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Tel-el Kebir on 10^th June 1916.

On 10^th July 1916 he was transferred to the 1^st Field Squadron Engineers.

On 19^th July 1916 he was admitted to the Scottish Horse Field Ambulance, then was admitted to the 31^st General Hospital at Port Said in Egypt with a condition not yet diagnosed on 20^th July 1916. On 25^th July he was transported by hospital train to Cairo, and was admitted to the 3^rd Australian General Hospital at Abbassia with Pyrexia. He was discharged and returned to duly on 27^th July 1916.

Private Wilson served with the 1^st Field Squadron Engineers during the campaigns in Gaza and Palestine.

On 29^th October 1917 he went to hospital sick and reverted to Sapper. On 31^st October 1917 he was admitted to the 43^rd Stationary Hospital with Cellulitis hand. On 10^th January 1918 he was sent by hospital train, and admitted to the 24^th Stationary Hospital at Kantara. On 11^th January 1918 he was admitted to the 31^st General Hospital at Port Said. On 27^th January 1918 he was admitted to 14 Australian General Hospital at Port Said. On 2^nd February 1918 he was sent to a Rest Camp at Port Said.

On 13^th February 1918 he left the Rest Camp, and joined the Engineer Training Unit at Moascar.

On 27^th February 1918 he was attached to D Troop IFSE for duty in the field.

His record of service notes that on 26^th April 1918 he received superficial abrasions to his arms and hands and hip when he was thrown from a pontoon wagon at Jerusalem.

On 28^th April 1918 he was admitted to the 66^th Casualty Clearing Station at Jerusalem with Diarrhoea. He was transferred to the 75^th Casualty Clearing Station on 30^th April 1918. On 2^nd May 1918 he was admitted to the 47^th Stationary Hospital at Gaza. On 6^th May 1918 he was transferred to 24 Stationary Hospital at Kantara. On 8^th May 1918 he was transferred to 1^st Australian General Hospital at Port Said in Egypt with Contused Hands. On 11^th May 1918 he was sent to a Rest Camp at Port Said. On 22^nd May 1918 he was sent to a Rest Camp at Moascar. On 31^st May 1918 he was admitted to 2 Australian Stationary Hospital sick, and was discharged on 3^rd September 1918 to a Rest Camp at Port Said.

He marched out to the Engineers Training Unit at Moascar on 18^th September 1918.

On 28^th September 1918 he was sent to 1^st Field Squadron Engineers, and was taken on strength in the field on 1^st October 1918. On 1^st October 1918 he was made Driver.

On 19^th June 1919 he was temporarily attached to AIF Headquarters at Kantara as a Driver.

Driver Wilson commenced his return to Australia on 3^rd July 1919 aboard the H.T. Malta at Kantara.

He was discharged termination of period of enlistment on 25^th September 1919.

[1] [No title], Gilgandra Weekly, 7 January 1916, p. 12, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119922632