Historical information

William Frederick Mawson (1893-1917) was the son of Frederick William and Mary Mawson who migrated to Victoria from Manchester in 1882 on the sailing ship Holmsdale. Frederick was one of two sons and 5 daughters. He entered the building industry and prior to WW1, worked for his older brother John, as a carpenter. He was 22 when he enlisted on the 15th July 1915 and was assigned to the 5th Field Company of Engineers. He trained as a sapper. William served for nearly 2 years and was killed only months before the end of the war whilst putting up barbed wire at Oestoik. He was buried at Lille Gate, Ypres in Belgium.

Physical description

Framed photograph of soldier within fabric inset, embroidered with English and Australian flags, white ribbon at base of green wreath which surrounds photo.