Sapper William Hadyn Rowlands

SAPPER WILLIAM HADYN ROWLANDS 3416 – 1st Tunnelling Company

Dinas Mawddwy, Merionethshire, Wales was the birthplace of William Haydn Rowlands. He was baptised William Hayden Hughes Rowlands on 29th September 1882, the son of a schoolmaster Richard Hughes and Mary Rowlands who resided at Minllyn, Dinas Mawddwy in Wales. In 1891 the family were living at 41 Neath Road, Briton Ferry and was made up of Richard H. (32) music teacher, Mary H. (30) manageress Bootshop, William Haydn (8), Sarah Ceridwen (7), Anita Mary (4), Ioan Barry (3), Margaret Smith (1) and Catherine A. (1mth).

Ten years later in 1901 the family were living in the School House at Broxwood Independent Chapel National School for Boys & Girls, Pembridge, Herefordshire, England and they consisted of Richard H. (42), Mary H. (40), William H. (18) Domestic Gardener, Sarah C. (17), Ioan B. (13), Margaret S. (11), Catherine A. (10), Rosa (6), Frederick (1) and Richard H. (9mths).

Previous military experience was gained serving three years with the Cyclists Corps in England.

It is possible that the young twenty-four year old who arrived in Brisbane, Qld on July 18, 1907 from London, England on board the steamer Omrah was when he came to Australia. In 1913 he was a labourer in Ayr, North Queensland.

On January 8, 1916 at the Blackall Town Council, Qld the thirty-one year old motor mechanic applied to enlist for active service abroad. The next day he passed the preliminary medical examination where personal particulars show his address as Kuringa Street, Blackall and unmarried. His height was 163cms (5ft 4ins) with a chest measurement of 90cms (35¾ins) and good vision tested in both eyes. On January 10 his application was accepted by the recruiting officer who noted on the form that the volunteer expected to leave Blackall on January 13, 1916.

At the Central District Recruiting Depot in Rockhampton, Qld on January 14, 1916 he presented his application and passed the medical examination. Further description on enlistment includes his weight of 58kgs (137lbs) with a tanned complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. Church of England was his religious faith. Next-of-kin was his mother Mrs Mary Rowlands of The Grange Walk, Leominster, England. The ‘Oath of Allegiance’ was taken and signed the same day.

At Enoggera camp, Brisbane, Qld he commenced basic training with the 11th Depot Battalion until March 21, 1916 when he was transferred to the Miners’ Depot to join other recruits who were to form part of the No. 4 Tunnelling Company. On May 1, 1916 he was promoted from Sapper to Acting Second Corporal with the regimental number 3416 and on May 16 his rank of 2nd Corporal was confirmed.

The Company embarked from Brisbane, Qld early in May, 1916 aboard HMAT A69 Warilda for Sydney, NSW. Six officers and 152 other ranks together with the 1st Reinforcements of fifteen other ranks made up the two sections.

At Rosebery Park, Sydney, NSW on May 10, 1916 they joined their Headquarters and two sections (8 officers & 153 O.Rs.) plus 1st Reinforcements consisting of one officer and seventeen other ranks for final training.

The 7713-ton transport departed Sydney, NSW on May 22, 1916 and collected in Melbourne, Victoria the No. 5 Company recruited from Victoria, South Aust. & Tasmania made up of Headquarters and 2 Sections (8 officers & 173 men) (3 M.D.). 1 Section from Tasmania (3 officers & 76 O.Rs); also 1 st Reinforcements for No. 5 Company (17 men from Vic. & 8 men Tas.) The ship departed on May 25, 1916 for Adelaide, S.A. to collect one Section of 3 officers & 76 O.Rs with 1st Reinforcements of 8 O.Rs. Docking at Fremantle, W.A. on June 1, 1916 added No. 6 Company recruited from W.A. of 14 officers and 325 O.Rs along with 1st Reinforcements of 1 Officer & 32 O.Rs departing the same day. Durban, South Africa was reached on June 16, 1916 and Cape Town on June 21, 1916 while St Vincent completed the African ports of call on July 7, 1916. Discipline was fairly good except at intermediate ports where Away without Leave caused concern. The fifty-eight day voyage experienced remarkable pleasant weather terminating at Plymouth, England on July 18, 1916. Four, Five and Six Companies comprising of 1064 officers and other ranks were detrained to Amesbury and Tidworth to begin training for the front at Perham Down’s camp.

On August 28, 1916 he was promoted to Corporal and the Tunnelling Companies proceeded to France the next day. On August 30 they arrived at the 2nd Aust Divisional Base Depot and he was attached to the 1st Tunnelling Company on September 25, 1916.

Corporal went injured to the 2nd Aust General Hospital Wimereux with a fractured collarbone on October 16, 1917 and eight days later was sent to the 2nd A.G.H. at Boulogne. On October 24 he was transported to England on the hospital ship Newhaven and admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham.

He was discharged to the No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott from November 17 and was classified to B1a2 debility on November 26, 1917. Reclassification to B1a3 was issued on December 3, 1917.

On December 29, 1917 he marched into the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge, Deverill and while there the following took place:

Crime: Sandhill 8/1/18 Neglecting duty A.I.F. H.Qtrs Order Para. ‘Bounds’. Award: Admonished by Major W. Trew.

From Southampton he proceeded to France on January 12, 1918 arriving at Rouelles entering the Aust General Base Depot the next day and left to return to his unit three days later. He rejoined on January 19.

Went sick to the 2nd New Zealand Field Ambulance on February 13, 1918 and transferred to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station with Myalgia (Muscular Pain). The next day was sent to Etaples entering the 7th Canadian General Hospital remaining until April 4. Later was moved to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot and the following day entered the 10th Convalescent Depot at Ecault. He was discharged to the Rest Camp on April 9 before returning to the A.G.B.D. at Rouelles on April 12, 1918.

After returning to the Tunnelling Company on April 24, 1918 he did not suffer any further injury or sickness until he was granted leave on November 9, 1918. A few days later Peace was declared.

On November 14, 1918 William Haydn Hughes Rowlands (36) of Grange Walk, Leominster married Louisa Bessie Lewis (29) of the Schoolhouse, Shobdon, the daughter of schoolmaster Charles Edward Lewis, in the Parish Church of England, Shobdon. The ceremony was conducted by Licence by the Vicar S. Comish Matthins.

He returned to his unit on December 14, 1918.

The Tunnelling Companies remained on the front as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with the rehabilitation of roads and bridges in their district by defusing delayed-action mines and booby traps left by the enemy.

On February 1, 1919 he went to the Physical & Recreational Training School and rejoined his unit on February 16. Leave from France was granted from March 26 until April 9, 1919 to attend Non-Military Employment in England and was taken on strength with A.I.F. Headquarters in London.

N.M.E. took place at “The Showers” farm, Kingsland in Hereford under Mr W.A. Morgan to learn mixed farming. He was granted leave until July 7, 1919 on ten shillings per day pay plus six shillings for subsistence and issued with a suit and overalls. His course was completed on July 7 and deficiencies were 14shillings and 11pence for his overalls. His report reads:

This man was instructed in care and herding of stock, harvesting, haymaking, preparation of soil and cultivation of root crops. He was always willing and conduct was entirely satisfactory.

He was retransferred to the 1st Tunnelling Company on July 9, 1919 and granted pre-embarkation leave until July 21. Marched into Headquarters and sent to No. 2 Group camp. On August 6 left for Headquarters and granted indefinite leave while waiting for the family ship.

Accompanied by his wife, Corporal Rowlands embarked for Australia on the H.T. Ormonde on November 15, 1919. The ship arrived in Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.) on January 2, 1920. Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on February 24, 1920 on termination of his period of enlistment.

Two Statements of Service were issued to the Repatriation Commission in Brisbane on April 23, 1923 and August 18, 1943.

The British War Medal (16696) and the Victory Medal (17093) were issued to Corporal 3416 William Hadyn Rowlands, 1st Tunnelling Company for serving his country.

In 1943 he was registered living at Gordon Street, Aramac, Qld with the occupation of mechanic.

William Haydn Hughes-Rowlands died on July 21, 1943 aged 61 years. Family arrangements were announced in The Courier-Mail on July 23, 1943: FUNERALS ROWLANDS—The Funeral of the late William Hayden Hughes-Rowlands, 1st A.I.F, of Bally Street, Kelvin Grove, will leave the Funeral Parlour, 45 Adelaide St., City, This (Friday) Morning, at 11.30 o’clock, for the Crematorium, Mt Thompson. CANNON & CRIPPS LTD Funeral Directors ROWLANDS—Kelvin Grove-Newmarket Sub-Branch, R.S.S.A.I.L.A.—Officers & Members are invited to attend the Funeral of their late Member, William H. Hughes-Rowlands, to leave as per preceding notice. By order of the Secty.

His widow placed In Memoriam notices each year after his death:

The Brisbane Courier Friday July 21, 1944: IN MEMORIAM HUGHES-ROWLANDS—In loving memory of my dear husband, William Haydn, who passed away on July 21, 1943. I have you in my thoughts, God has you in his keeping. Inserted by his loving wife, Bess.

The Brisbane Courier Saturday July 21, 1945: IN MEMORIAM HUGHES—ROWLANDS—In loving memory of my dear husband, William Haydn, who passed away on July 21, 1943: Just a token true and tender, Just to show I still remember Inserted by his loving wife, Bess. His War Grave Plaque is located in the Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens in the War Service Section

He also has a plaque in the Queensland Garden of Remembrance at Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery, Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane on Wall 9 in Row B. His brothers also served (and in some cases died) in the forces:

1. Ioan Barry Hughes-Rowlands requested a commission with the Service Corps, becoming a Temporary Lieut. with the 43rd Divisional Train Army Service Corps, Welsh Army Corps, in Feb 1915, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in 1917 when he was a Temporary Captain and then Captain Feb 1918, later serving as Captain with Lancers Indian Army, serving in India until 1928.

2. Richard Hughes Rowlands who served as a Telegraphist on HMS Mohawk in 1911. He became a Commissioned Naval Telegraphist in WW2, but died on board HMS Royal Oak off which was sunk off Longhope in Scapa Flow by a German U-boat on 14 October 1939. He is commemorated at Lyness Royal Navy Cemetery, Plot P, Row 1, Grave 17.

3. Frederick George Hughes Rowlands Served in India with Shropshire Light Infantry service number 3434650 in1930 -31 and was awarded the campaign medal for North West Frontier 1930-31 for serving in Kohat, Waziristan & Peshawur District between 21st December 1921 and March 31 1924. He died in Colaba, Maharashtra, India in 1938.

The family surname is usually, but not always written as Hughes-Rowlands.