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William Harry Addison was born in Balhannah, South Australia, to William Henry Addison and his wife, Hannah Agnes Addison (nee HART) on February 20, 1882.
A labourer by trade, William worked in Gowrie Little Plain, Queensland in 1908, before returning to South Australia and later marrying Sarah Matilda Skinner on March 16, 1910.
At the age of 33, William enlisted on September 14, 1915 and was posted to the 1st Remount Unit. “The 1st AUSTRALIAN REMOUNT UNIT was formed in the first instance for the purpose of taking charge of the horses of the Light Horse Regiments, that were acting as Infantry at Gallipoli thereby releasing for the firing line the trained officers, N.C.o’s and men who had been left in Egypt in charge of horses of their respective
Regiments . . . . The Unit was formed from men selected for their knowledge of horses, and for trades as a proportion of blacksmiths, saddlers and wagon drivers were required . . . “
Embarking for Suez aboard HMAT Orsova November 12, 1915, his unit would disembark almost 4 weeks later, on December 9th, and then proceeding by train to Zeitoun. Two days later, the unit would take charge of 198 horses bound for Batteries that would be arriving from Australia, the first animals of which they would take charge.
Trooper Addison was admitted to hospital suffering from scabies on no less than four occasions suffering from scabies during his service, an skin affliction that may be spread directly from infected horses, or indirectly through contaminated blankets and clothing. The latter method was considered to be the chief means by which the disease was spread in the army.
His unit moved to Heliopolis, in April 1916, “affected without difficulty or delay.” The unit continued to manage horses and mules as they were shipped in from other areas and In early November 1917, William was temporarily attached to the Field Remount Section, before returning to his unit on January 5, 1918. During this period, the 1st Remount Unit had relocated to Moascar, once again attending to horses and mules as they arrived from various locations.
From September 21 1918 until November 2 1918, Trooper Addison was posted to No 1 Field Remount Section Ludd. Ten days later, the camp received news that the Armistice had been signed, “there was great gratification and relief shown by all ranks in the Camp.” However, the work the 1st Remount Unit did not end there, due to lack of men they continued to care for animals arriving from the A.& N.Z.T.C.& D.C. units.
William may have been amongst the other ranks who travelled to Cairo on New Years day 1919, quite possibly to attend the races at Heliopolis. The events of the past 4 years having finally come to an end, at last allowed troops to indulge without fear of returning to ongoing warfare.
During the remainder of January, horses and mules continued to arrive and be tended to, however the veterinarians of the unit also had the task of determining those animals that were to be cast (destroyed) due to age. Mares under 15 were separated for breeding, while other smaller horses were sent to Cairo for sale.
Throughout February, Trooper Addison would have tended a number of horses that arrived from the ANZAC mounted Division. These numbers continued through March, with 1506 horses and 184 mules arriving for care. He would have received word alongside other men in his unit that Brigadier General Bates sent his very sincerest thanks for the very loyal way in which they had supported him during this time as Director of Remounts, and wishing them all good luck in the future.
April and May continued to witness animals arrive, some to be tended and others issued to units and veterinary hospitals. For his continued service in the 1st Remount Unit, William Harry Addison was promoted to Lance Corporal on May 10, 1919.
July 1919 saw the end of the 1st Remount Unit receiving animals, instead it was now tasked with ensuring all were marched out by the 18th of the month. On the 25th, Lance Corporal Addison was one of 16 other ranks who marched out to Kantara - the Advance Party of the unit for embarkation to Australia, aboard HMT Burma. After 4 long years from home, William was at last returning home to his wife and daughter, his duty done. He arrived in Adelaide on August 27, 1919 and was discharged soon after.
William was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal in recognition of his service with the 1st Remount Unit during WW1. He settled with his family in Belair, in the Adelaide Hills before Sarah died in 1934 and from 1939 William lived in alone in Edwardstown, continuing to work as a labourer.
625 Lance Corporal William Harry Addison, died at the Repatriation Hospital in Daw Park on May 24, 1966 at the age of 84. He is buried alongside his wife, Sarah, at St Marys Anglican Church Cemetery, St Mary’s, South Australia.