Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

If you could spare a few dollars to help with the running costs of hosting this website to keep it alive would be very much appreciated.
Thankyou from Gravesites of Tasmania in advance.

Pfau William John

Born 7^th January 1897 Strahan Tasmania to John and Christina Pfau (nee Matthews) a farmer who embarked Melbourne 22^nd December 1916 on board “HMAT Persic” with the 12^th Infantry Battalion.

He was killed in action 23^rd August 1918 and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

A letter from the Rev T J O’Donnell to Mr R W Harrison of Wynyard says

“Reg No 7063 Private W J Pfau son of Mr F J Pfau of Sheffield was killed in the recent great battle under tragic circumstances. The boy himself was of german extraction, like many thousands from Australia and more particularly America who are here fighting the monster of German militarism from which their fathers fled to new and free lands. Young Pfau was a brave lad and an excellent soldier. He went out towards a trench in which there were about 40 germans. They put up their hands and made signs denoting their wish to surrender. Private Pfau returned and reported the matter and said he would go and bring in the prisoners. He again called to them and again the hands were raised so Pfau walked towards the trench. As he came near one of the germans fired point blank at him with a revolver killing him instantly. Pfau’s mates, who were watching, with fierce anger immediately turned six machine guns on the germans and attacked with the bayonet and of the forty only three were left alive. Thus was the treacherous deed that took the life of a brave young Tasmanian soldier avenged. Young Pfau certainly showed great courage and had he lived he would have received a decoration. He was a member of the famous old 12^th Battalion and he was laid to rest in the field of glory near the spot where he so gallantly fell.

The Courier Mail 31^st October 1918

Please note that there might be information from other websites or brochures "reprinted" here- under the laws of "fair use". In every instance -we hope- we have provided a direct link to the owners web site. We do not claim rights or ownership to any of their information. We do thank them sincerely for their efforts. We have in every instance made a good faith effort to contact and request 'reprint' permission. Nonetheless, we do want to be certain that nothing gets lost due to web site disappearance and the like, so it appears duplicated here.

Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.