William Messer
History
William Messer was born in Ballarat East and his parents were William and Elizabeth Messer of 103 Barkly Street, Ballarat East.[1] Bill Messer attended Golden Point Primary School.
Bill Messer’s was a draper who established the Ballarat clothing institution Messer and Opie after World War One with his close friend Frank Opie.
Ernest J. Collins and William Messer (4548) enlisted together in 1915, joining the 8th Battalion in Ballarat, and became firm friends aboard the troopship HMAT Themistocles on their way to Suez in 1916. Transferred into the 58th Battalion, they were in reserve at Fromelles, providing stretcher-bearers and support, until half the battalion was committed in support of the 59th in a mistaken push to retake the Sugarloaf in the thought the British divisions were alongside them. William was wounded at Fromelles early, and convalesced in a hospital in London for three weeks. [2]
Bill Messer won the Military Medal and Bar for bravery. The medal recommendation for bravery under shellfire in retrieving a mortar and silencing a German machine-gun post in 1917; the bar for supporting fire under an enemy barrage in 1918. He sent them home for safekeeping.
- “Dear Sir, At the request of your son… I am transmitting per separate registered packet post, the Military Medal & Bar awarded to this soldier for safe keeping against the time of his return. and I trust he will be spared to wear it for many long days to come.”
- Major, officer i/c Base Records[3]
Legacy
Tree 3301 in the Ballarat Avenue of Honour was planted to recognise the World War One service of William Messer. His son, Bill Messer, remembered visiting the tree with his father.[4]
Ernest J. Collins and William Messer returned to Ballarat after World War One. Despite his wounds, Bill Messer returned to join the Ballarat Harriers, and enjoyed running. They established the 58th Battalion Association for those who served to meet and support one another.[5]
See also
Golden Point State School Roll of Honor
Notes
References
- ↑ NAA: B2455, MESSER WILLIAM
- ↑ http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/4025213/fromelles-ballarats-bloody-entry-to-the-western-front/, accessed 21 July 2016.
- ↑ http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/4025213/fromelles-ballarats-bloody-entry-to-the-western-front/, accessed 21 July 2016.
- ↑ http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2999460/split-sections-of-ballarats-avenue-of-honour-to-be-reconnected/, accessed 09 March 2018.
- ↑ http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/4025213/fromelles-ballarats-bloody-entry-to-the-western-front/, accessed 21 July 2016.
Further Reading
External links
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/4025213/fromelles-ballarats-bloody-entry-to-the-western-front/
--Beth Kicinski 16:53, 23 August 2013 (EST); --Clare K.Gervasoni 17:09, 21 July 2016 (AEST); https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8012463