Charles Jonathan Willmott (1888-1915) was born in Avoca, the son of Charles Willmott and Kate nee Sedery. He was educated at the Avoca State School.
On 17 August 1914 Charles willmott enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Shepparton. He was then an unmarried grocer.. He stated he had served in the Victorian Rangers for a year and with the Victorian Scottish Regiment for two years. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion with the regimental number 401.
The 7th battalion was raised by Lieutenant Colonel H. E. “Pompey” Elliott. I was recruited from Victoria and was part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division.
Initial training was undertaken at Broadmeadows camp.
On 19 October 1914 Willmott embarked with C Company of the 7th Battalion on Transport A20 Hororata. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. The Battalion undertook further training before being called to undertake defensive duties along the Suez Canal in February 1915.
Avoca Free Press and Farmers’ and Miners’ Journal, Wednesday 10 March 1915, page 3
LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS.
...
Mr Chas Willmott, son of Mr and Mrs C Willmott, of Avoca, is also with the First Contingent. Charlie has sent home some good photographs which were taken in Egypt, and he has written some racy letters regarding his experiences in that historic country
In early April the battalion was moved to Alexandria and from there on to Lemnos Island. On the morning of 25 April 1915, the battalion took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove, coming ashore as part of the second wave.
In the collection of the State Library of New South Wales
Private Willmott was declared ‘missing in action on or about 25 April 1915’.
Shepparton Advertiser (Vic.), Thursday 17 June 1915, page 3
BUGLER WILLMOTT.
Bugler C. J. Willmott (missing) 7th Battalion, was employed as an assistant in the grocery department at James Fairleys', merchants and warehousmen of Shepparton. He was a member of the Shepparton Model Band. His people reside at Avoca,
In February 1917 George Downton, a local businessman from Avoca, wrote the the military authorities seeking confirmation that Charles Willmott had been killed:
Avoca
20/2/17
Officer commanding Base Records Office
Sir
A poor woman Mrs Wilmott mother of Bugler Charles Jonathan Willmott No, 401, 7th Battalion has asked me to write you
She received a letter from your office dated January "30th 1917 in which it is stated that “The Military Board is regretfully constrained to conclude that this soldier is dead, and that death occurred on some date prior to 3rd June 1915"
As Bugler Wilmott’s life was assured & as his mother has since paid 2 premiums, cannot he now be officially declared dead to enable his mother to receive the amount of policy
I may add that she is almost blind from cataract & is only waiting to be totally blind to be operated on. Her case is really pitiable. Trusting you will do your utmost for this poor woman. I am
Yours faithfully
Geo H Downton
On 25 September 1917 a Court of Inquiry held at Rouen, France, confirmed Private Willmott’s fate as ‘killed in action’.
Avoca Free Press and Farmers’ and Miners’ Journal (Vic.), Wednesday 3 October 1917, page 2
Mr Geo Downton presided at a meeting of the carnival committee held on Monday evening. ...
The chairman informed the meeting that official word had been received of the death of Private Charles Willmott. For a long time the fate of this young hero was uncertain, and they held a lingering hope that he might have been taken prisoner. However, be deeply regretted to learn that Private Willmott, who was a very promising young man, and held in high esteem, had fallen. He moved that a letter of condolence be forwarded to the bereaved parents. Seconded by Mr Geo Phillipe, and carried in silence, the members standing as a mark of respect.
In April 1918 the effects of the late Private C J Willmott were sent to his father. They comprised: Cigarette Cards, Gift Tin, Bible, 2 Handkerchiefs, Note-Book, Shaving Brush, Pipe Bowl,and a Pencil Case.
Base Records wrote to Mr Willmott, 24 August 1920, that Private Willmott’s remains had been exhumed from a recently discovered Turkish cemetery at Pine Ridge, and had been reinterred in Lone Pine Cemetery.
Australian War Memorial
Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 25 April 1918, page 1
IN MEMORIAM.
On Active Service.
WILLMOTT.- In loving memory of Bugler Charles J. Willmott, 7th Battalion, second beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Willmott, of Avoca.
He nobly lived, and nobly died for freedom's sake.
Our Anzac.
Two brothers, Dave and Herb Willmott, also enlisted. His uncle, Charles Sedery, was killed in action at Gallipoli on 6 August 1915.
Wikitree: Charles Jonathan Willmott (1888-1915)
Records:
- AWM – Roll Of Honour
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- Find a Grave
- National Archives Australia – Service Record
- The AIF Project
- Virtual War Memorial Australia
