Letter of 2nd Lieutenant WS FILMER

Date of enlistment	2^nd February 1916
Age at enlistment	22
Profession	School Teacher
Town	Byaduk
Status	Single
Rank at enlistment	Private
Company
Significant events while with the AIF	Sailed with the 11^th Reinforcements on the HMAT Orontes Served in France and Belgium Promoted through ranks to 2^nd Lieutenant Admitted to Field Ambulance with mumps Killed in Action – Bullecourt, 3^rd May 1917

2^nd Lieutenant Filmer’s full WW1 service record can be located in the National Archives of Australia. Full details are available online, NAA Series B2455

Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files – Lieut. WS Filmer, 22nd Battalion

The following extracts are taken from a letter written by the Town Clerk of Hamilton, Scotland, following a recent visit by 2^nd Lieutenant Filmer to the town and upon news of his death at Bullecourt. The original is stored in the Australian War Memorial research centre in Canberra, and acknowledgement goes to the family of 2^nd Lieutenant Filmer and the AWM enabling the subsequent publishing within this commemorative project.

Scotland

Letter from PM Kirkpatrick, Town Clerk, Hamilton, Scotland, 12^th July 1917, to address unknown

We are all very much grieved at his death occurring as it did so very soon after his visit. He was a fine young man and it is hard to think of such gallant young men being wiped out as is recurring daily.

We are all suffering for each other in this Great War and can assure you that this country looks with great pride and honour to her colonies for the great and valuable assistance and the true patriotic spirit which has been shown. We feel here sometimes that our patriotism lacks the enthusiasm of our colonies, but great things have been done and will be done to end this terrible struggle, and we shall remember with feelings of love and admiration the grand things achieved by our colonies.

Kindly accept from this Municipality our heartfelt sympathy with all friends of Lieut. Filmer whose death we mourn and whose memory we cherish as binding the towns of Hamilton in more close ties than ever.