Winkler Generations
Charles William Winkler was born in Wallaroo, South Australia on 26 May 1898. Bill, as he was known, was the fourth child of Charles William Winkler and Elizabeth Jane Hicks.
Bill enlisted in the Australian Infantry Forces on 24 Aug 1915 and embarked for overseas service on 2 December 1915 with the 10th infantry. Bill said he was aged 19 years and three months when he enlisted, however he was actually just over 17-years-old. The 10th infantry were sent to Egypt as reinforcements on board the ship RMS Malwa. Bill spent some time with the 10th Battalion training in Egypt where he was admitted to hospital a couple of times with tonsillitis. Eventually in June 1916, he joined his Battalion in France. He was wounded in action in March 1917. He sustained shrapnel wounds in his left temple and then later he had a bad infection in his right foot. In September 1917, Bill had ten days leave and went to London but a few months later, he was in hospital again with boils. He seems to have had a lot of trouble with boils over the next few months but finally rejoined his unit in April 1918. |
The 10th Battalion had taken part in bitter trench warfare since they had arrived at the Western Front in 1916. They had fought in the Somme Valley at Pozieres, and then took part in fighting at Ypres, before returning to the Somme. In 1917, they fought in Belgium again in the third Battle of Ypres.
During March and April of 1918, the 10th Battalion helped stop the German offensive in France. On 8 August, just before Bill was killed, the 10th Battalion was fighting near Amiens in France. This battle was described as the greatest success in a single day in the Western Front. The Battalion continued operations until late September 1918 but at 11.00 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. Members of the AIF soon began returning to Australia. However, Bill Winkler didn’t return home.
On the 11 August 1918, the Germans were counter attacking at Crapey Wood, near Lihons. They attacked through a gap in the front line. Five of the battalion, including Bill Winkler, were in a dugout. A few shots were exchanged, and Bill was killed by a rifle shot fired at point blank range. The other four were captured, but got away about an hour later when the enemy was driven off. Bill had died almost instantly. That evening he was carried to an aid post, there wasn't a mark on him according to the men who took his body to the dressing station.
On the 11 August 1918, the Germans were counter attacking at Crapey Wood, near Lihons. They attacked through a gap in the front line. Five of the battalion, including Bill Winkler, were in a dugout. A few shots were exchanged, and Bill was killed by a rifle shot fired at point blank range. The other four were captured, but got away about an hour later when the enemy was driven off. Bill had died almost instantly. That evening he was carried to an aid post, there wasn't a mark on him according to the men who took his body to the dressing station.
Bill was buried at Ridgeway British Cemetery 1 mile N. of Lihons and 8 ½ miles north-west of Lisle, but was one of the soldiers later moved to Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres.
Bill was only twenty years old when he died. At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on memorial panel no. 61, is engraved the name WINKLER C.W. When visiting Canberra in January 2005, I put a red poppy next to his name.
Bill was only twenty years old when he died. At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on memorial panel no. 61, is engraved the name WINKLER C.W. When visiting Canberra in January 2005, I put a red poppy next to his name.