Video Stories

Nearly a hundred years after the Williamstown Town Hall photographic honour board was created we are sharing through these videos some of the stories behind the faces; stories of service, mateship, sacrifice and humanity.  

A Family’s Sacrifice – the Sons of David & Emma Chandler

David and Emma Chandler lived at 81 Princes St, Williamstown with five sons and six daughters.  Four of the Chandler sons enlisted in the Great War.  Only one son returned to his family.

Friendship in War – Sergeant Cuthbert William Urwin

Cuthbert William Urwin and his friend Claud Harris enlisted together in the 10th Field Ambulance as drivers. When Cuthbert was killed during a shelling raid at Bonnay. Claud helped to bury his friend. 


The Champion Piper – Lance Corporal Gordon Rankin Inglis

Gordon Rankin Inglis was a champion bagpipe player and clerk at the Newport Railway Workshops. Hugh McGill Blair was a blacksmith at the workshops. See how the war brought them together. Gordon is the only Australian WW1 soldier buried at the Danygraig Cemetery in Swansea, Wales. Neither Gordon nor Hugh returned to their families.

 

A Man Among Men – Sergeant Thomas Henry Fraser

Thomas Henry Fraser was Williamstown’s Town Engineer and Surveyor when he enlisted in the 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion in January 1916. Eight months after he arrived in France he was killed by enemy shelling. The location of his grave was later lost and he is one of the many who have no known grave.

 

‘Killed’ – J G Hansen, Father of Stewart Murray Hansen

Architect, Stewart Murray Hansen was the son of John and Agnes Hansen, Pasco St, Williamstown. Within 12 months of enlistment he was rapidly promoted through the ranks to Captain and Company Commander. Seventeen days after he was engaged to be married, Stewart was severely wounded and died on his 25th birthday.