The Soldier's Details

Wolfe enlisted AIF 10 Sep 1941 having previously worked in Albany – his family lived at nearby Bornholm.   He was Taken on Strength to Woodside Camp, S.A. 5 Oct 1941.  He joined HQ No. 3 Platoon Administrative as a reinforcement.

Please read about Bornholm

Wolfe was wounded in action and admitted to 2/13th Australian General Hospital on 11/2/1942 with a shrapnel wound to his right knee.

Following their internment in Singapore, Wolfe left with the first work party from Singapore  to work on the Burma end of the Burma-Thai Railway –  ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion.

We cannot be sure which camps Wolfe worked at during his time in Burma and Thailand – we can only estimate.

He was recovered from Tamarkan, Thailand at the end of the war.  (The Japanese made the selection of ‘fit’ POWs to work in Japan – thankfully Bill was not included).

 

 

Bill was son of Richard Travers Wolfe (born New Zealand) and Katherine May Leonard who married about 1908 Perth. Bill was the eldest of three sons and two daughters.

 

 

Richard Wolfe worked for WAGR from 1911 until Feb 1917 when he took leave and enlisted – 16th Battalion, 25th Reinforcements service No. 7555 he was 32 years old. His wife Katherine was initially residing Northam, but then moved to Leederville.

Richard Wolfe embarked Fremantle June 1917 to Plymouth, England.  During Dec 1917 had transferred to 44th Battalion.

Richard Travers Wolfe served AIF in  WW1.  He was with 44th Btn in France.  He was wounded in action 10 Aug 1918 France and returned to his Btn 3 Sep 1918.  He returned Australia July 1919 and discharged 28 July 1919.

The family settled on a farm at Bornholm between Albany and Denmark.  Amongst the settlers was the Goldsmith family.

Wolfe has been included with those who enlisted from Denmark.

His father Richard, died in Albany in 1948.

 

 

Bill married Maureen Goldsmith about 1939 Albany.  They had at least one son, Kevin.  Bill continued working as a shop assistant.

Below:  Maureen’s sister marries. (The Minchin family was also from the Denmark region.)

They resided Mengler Ave, Claremont from 1954 through to 1972 with Bill working as a salesman.  Maureen died in 1977 and Bill moved to Rockingham according to Electoral Roll of 1980.

William passed away on 24th May 1988.

 

Below: The many families of the Bornholm region are listed.

 

 

 

Another 2/4th soldier’s family also resided in the region – Bill Cake.