William Augustus Povah

Personal Information
Date of Birth	unknown
Place of Birth	Maryborough, Queensland
Death	29 Mar 1960
Place of Death	Hollywood Repatriation Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	34 years old
Description	5' 3" (1.60m)tall; weight 124 lbs (56.2 kg); fresh complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair
Occupation	sleeper hewer
Religion	Church of England
Address (Mother's)	School Quarters, West Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father Mr Frank Povah (address unknown)
Military Information
Reg Number	4357
Date of Enlistment	10 Jan 1916
Rank	Corporal
Unit/Formation	28th Battalion, 11th Reinforcements / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division
Date of Embarkation	31 mar 1916 - 24 Apr 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A9 Shropshire
Date of Return	1 Jun 1919 - 8 Jul 1919
Ship Returned On	SS Somali
Fate	Wounded in Action 27.29 Aug 1916 Mouquet Farm Wounded in Action 8 Aug 1918 Amiens Returned to Australia
Monument	Armadale (West Armadale panel)
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Electoral Roll entries - 1910 - 1912 a miner at Gwalia; later in 1912 at Bungalow Cafe, Boulder road, Kalgoorlie, miner. 1915 - 1916 Barrabupp, sleeper hewer.

War Service

Given temporary rank of Corporal for the voyage. During the journey to Egypt he was admitted to the ship's hospital on 21 Apr 1916 with influenza, and on arrival in Suez was transferred to the Government Hospital until 12 May 1916.

Embarked on the HMT Minnetonka in Alexandria on 2 Jun 1916 he disembarked in Plymouth on 12 Jun.

On 9 Aug 1916 he travelled to France, and on arrival at the Étaples Base he reverted to Private. On 24 Aug 1916 he joined the 28th Battalion who were north east of Poziéres. Occupying the front line trenches, between the 27th and 29th Aug 1916 they are under almost continuous artillery bombardment. Suffering with Shell Shock (slight, as it was described in his records) he was seen by the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station before embarking on the HMHS St David in Boulogne for England on 31 Aug 1916.

Arriving there, he was admitted to the No3 Southern General Hospital, Oxford for treatment. Following treatment he returned to his battalion via various base units in England and France to reach them during late Nov 1916.

In Dec 1916 he was again in difficulty, being evacuated yet again to England, this time with Trench Foot, from Calais, entering the County of Middlesex War Hospital for treatment. Returned to France via Perham Downs and Folkestone on 14 Mar 1917, catching up with the 28th Battalion on 26 Apr 1917 where they are in the Support lines near Noreil-Lagnicourt.

In hospital, again ill, from 1 Jun to 9 Jul 1917, and again in late Apr 1918 (Trench Toe). William was wounded in action a second time on 8 Aug 1918 when he participated in the first day of the battle of Amiens. His injuries included a GSW to his left shoulder and minor wound to his left arm. First stop was the 15th Australian Field Ambulance who passed him on to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station, and then the 2nd Canadian Hospital before he was evacuated to England.

Arriving in England he was admitted to the Bevan Military Hospital Sandgate on 13 Aug 1918. On 6 Sep 1918 he transferred to the No 1 Line Hospital in Canterbury. Short stays at the No 1 Command Depot and the Overseas Training Base eventually equip him to return to his unit in France on 30 Nov 1918, by which time the Armistice was in place.

In Mar 1919 he begins the trip home via Sutton Veny and Weymouth. Discharged 5th Military District 22 Aug 1919.

Casualty List 260 has Bill as returning to duty previously reported wounded.

Post War

William married Charlotte V.E.Louisa Mary Armstrong in the Murray district in 1922. Louisa died Nov 1933.

Electoral Roll entries - 1925 with Louisa Mary in Yarloop, timber worker. 1931 he is the assistant yard foreman; 1936 at Brunswick Junction a labourer. 1949 30 Catherine street, Subiaco no occ; 1954 30 Museum street, Perth no occupation; 1958 in Sunset Home Nedlands.

Children were Elsie (married Leaney), Leonard (William Augustus Jnr) (24 Dec 1922 in Yarloop - 28 Jun 1973, served in the 2nd AIF with Reg No WX28747), Francis (Frank) Ernest (1924 - 22 Jul 1983), and William Samuel (1926 - 22 Dec 1961).

Listening Post May 1960 reports him as having died while a member of the Yarloop RSL.