Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Hotel porter William Horsman, was a native of Liverpool, United Kingdom, and lived with his wife Alice in Manchester Road, Auburn. At 37 years 5 months, Horsman enlisted at the RAS Showground, Moore Park, on 15 May 1916.
Private Horsman embarked on the Ceramic in October 1916, with other Auburn Memorial men: William Heard, Theodore McCooey, Fredrick Meads, and William Hewett.
After an eight-week voyage, Horsman arrived in Plymouth, UK, in November 1916. He spent a further five months in Britain before proceeding to France and marching into the 1st Battalion on 11 April 1917.
Less than a month later, Horsman was wounded and was in and out of numerous military bases and military hospitals with various ailments during 1917. He did not return to his battalion for a year.
Horsman was killed in action on 30 May 1918, 26 days after rejoining his battalion. The 1st Australian Division was still in the far north of France defending Hazebrouck against the German spring offensive, so Horsman’s grave lies in La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck. For his headstone, his wife chose the inscription: IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR HUSBAND
Horsman’s wife returned to England on the Benalla in January 1920. It is assumed she put Horsman’s name forward for the Auburn War Memorial before she went.
William Horsman is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal
- 1914-20 Victory Medal
