William Henry Gauthern
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 21 Oct 1875 |
| Place of Birth | Montreal, Canada |
| Death | 22 Nov 1953, aged 78 |
| Place of Death | Como, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 42 years, 2 months |
| Description | 5' 6½" (1.69m) tall; weight 142 lbs (64.4 kg); dark complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair |
| Occupation | clerk |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Beatrice Violet Gauthern |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 20694 |
| Date of Enlistment | 21 Jan 1918 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | Army Medical Corps, General Reinforcements |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Oct 1918 - 12 Dec 1918 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A36 Boonah |
| Date of Return | 12 Dec 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A36 Boonah |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott |
| Medals | British War Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries - 1916 with wife Beatrice Violet and Edward Albert Gauthern (brother?) in Kelmscott as orchardists. 1917 in Bush at Jarrahdale with wife, working as a faller. Occupation given on enlistment was clerk.
Married prior to his arrival in WA. Had previous military experience with the Royal Canadian Artillery just short of 15 years. Was missing the middle and second toes on his right foot, hence fit for Medical duties only.
War Service
Ship recalled before arriving in England due to the end of War. On arrival at Woodman's Point he was found to have Influenza and was hospitalised/quarantined for 23 days from 12 Dec 1918 to 3 Jan 1919. Discharged 5th Military District 17 Jan 1919.
Mentioned in the 1917 Feb-Mar edition of "The Drill of the Foot-Hills" - no details.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1924 in Kelmscott; 1925 - 1937 orchardist, in Brook road Gosnells. 1943 - 1953 a labourer with wife and William John from 1936 (carpenter son) at 32 Todd avenue, Como.
Engagement Violet Doris, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gauthern, of Gosnells, to Albert Raymond, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Clark of Gosnells (a son born 6 Nov 1935).[1]
CYCLISTS ESCAPE. SKID ON CAUSEWAY. Saved by Tram's Fender. A 71-year-old cyclist owes his life to the safety fender of a tram which swept him clear of its wheels late yesterday afternoon. The cyclist, William Henry Gauthern, of Todd-avenue, Como, was riding home over the Causeway when his cycle skidded, throwing him into the path of an approaching tram. Gauthern was in a dazed condition when he was picked up by the St. John Ambulance and taken to the Perth Hospital, and Constable Colvin, of the Police Traffic Branch, was unable to obtain full details of the accident. It was ascertained, however, that Gauthern was riding eastward over the Causeway shortly after 5 p.m. It is believed a bus going in the same direction pulled up in front of him on the "hump." Gauthern attempted to pass to the left, going between the bus and the single tram track. His cycle skidded and he fell on to the tram track almost immediately in front of an approaching tram. There was no time for the tram to pull up but the safety fender swept the helpless cyclist from the path of the tram's wheels. Gauthern was admitted to hospital suffering from concussion, abrasions and an injured shoulder. Any witnesses of the accident are asked to get in touch with the Police Traffic Branch.[2]