Wilfred George Bettenay

Wilfred George Bettenay

Birtwistle Collection BLSL PH627
Card on display in Albany's ANZAC Centre
Personal Information
Date of Birth	c1897
Place of Birth	Canning Mills, Western Australia
Death	23 Aug 1968
Place of Death	Roleystone, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	18 years, 11 months
Description	5' 6 ½" (1.69m) tall ; 130 lbs 58.967 kg ; fresh complexion ; grey eyes ; dark brown hair
Occupation	Orchardist
Religion	Congregational
Address	Karragullen, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Joseph Bettenay
Military Information
Reg Number	2055
Date of Enlistment	26 Apr 1916
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	44th battalion, 3rd reinforcement, C Company
Date of Embarkation	10 Oct 1916 ‒ 2 Dec 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A23 Suffolk Fremantle to Plymouth
Date of Return	15 Sep 1918 ‒ 10 Nov 1918
Ship Returned On	HMNZT Arawa
Fate	Wounded in Action 5 Oct 1917 at Broodseinde Returned to Australia
Monument	Kelmscott War Memorial (West panel) Roleystone Honour Board
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

After entering Black Boy Hill camp, Wilfred spent a week in the 64th Depot Company before being allocated to the 16th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. This was later changed to the 3rd draft for the 44th Battalion before his departure for England.

Although he only arrived in England on the 2nd December 1916, he was sent to the 11th Training Battalion at Larkhill, but then quickly shipped off to France via Folkestone on 20 Dec 1916 aboard the HMT Princess Victoria. In France he eventually joined the 44th Battalion on 23 Mar 1917 in its billets at Pont de Nieppe. Part of the delay was caused by a stay in the 26th General Hospital during late December 1916 and early January 1917 with first an unknown infection, later diagnosed as German Measles leading to his being transferred from the 26th General Hospital to the 24th General Hospital in Étaples on 14 Jan 1917. Wilfred was released to the 6th Convalescent Depot on 30 Jan 1917 and was able to return to the 3rd Division's Base Depot on 19 Feb 1917.

On 5 Oct 1917 the 44th Battalion was holding the line on Broodseinde Ridge. During the day they were subjected to random enemy shelling , and during this time he received shrapnel wounds to his scalp, hand, and right thigh, the thigh being of greatest concern. Seen initially by the 11th Field Ambulance, he was sent on the same day to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, and then on 6 Oct 1917 to the 22nd General Hospital in Amiens. On 16 Oct 1917 he was evacuated on HS Pieter de Coninck and transferred to Eastbourne Military Hospital in England. It is not clear from his records as to when his right leg was amputated but he was well enough to be released to the 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital on 22 Mar 1918. He was then granted furlough from 27 Apr to 11 May 1918, and again from 22 Aug to 30 Aug 1918 with the time in between spent at the 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital.

It was not until Sep 1918 that he was repatriated to Australia, and on arrival home he spent time in 8th Australian General Hospital at Fremantle before he was discharged by 5th Military District on 8 Mar 1919.

Wilfred is recorded as having been fit for service and therefore enlisted.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Bettenay, of Irymple, Karragullen, have been notified that their second son, Wilfred, has been wounded.

Post War

Wilfred has a Ford wagon, registered number 12611.

1925 - 1968 electoral rolls list Wilfred as living at "Irymple", Karragullen, an orchardist with wife Sidney Mary [nee Gibbings] who he married in 1923. Son Keith Arthur was born on 22 Jun 1924 and died 17 Apr 1984 at Gosnells; Dorothy M b. 4 Jan 1926; Elanor M b. 1927; and Phillip J b. 1931.

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Memorial