100 Days of Heroes: Athlete and footballer Billy Andrewartha lost on French battlefield

ONCE described as the finest schoolboy runner in the south, Billy Andrewartha was mortally wounded in action in France in 1916.

Corporal William Henry Andrewartha is remembered at tree 331 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue.

STOREKEEPER’S assistant Billy Andrewartha was born in Jollimont, Victoria, but was raised in northern Tasmania and attended the Leslie House School (now The Friends’ School).

He was a champion athlete during his school days and was later described as the finest schoolboy runner in the south.

He played football with Red Hills and Dunorlan while serving his apprenticeship.

Billy was married to Grace Stephens and living at Dunorlan, near Deloraine, when he enlisted at Claremont in August 1915.

He sailed for Egypt from Melbourne in December 1915, stopping at Brisbane on the way.

He was promoted to corporal in Egypt in May 1916 and was transferred to France the next month.

Billy Andrewartha, second from right, at the Broadmeadows army camp in Victoria. Picture: ROSS ANDREWARTHA

On August 5, 1916, Billy was severely wounded in the thigh and died the same day, age 24, in the 44th Casualty Clearing Station. Hee was buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery in France.

At the time of his death, Billy’s parents lived in Burnie and his wife was living at 31 Forster St, New Town.

Among the personal effects returned to his wife Grace were a whistle, a watch, a Bible, a first aid book, electric torch and a fountain pen.

Corporal William Henry Andrewartha is remembered at tree number 331 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue in the Queen’s Domain and on the Hobart Town Hall honour board.

MORE 100 DAYS OF HEROES:

THE DAY SIX KIDS LOST THEIR DAD, CHARLES SMITH

CHAMPION GOLFER CLYDE PEARCE CUT DOWN IN HIS PRIME

FAMILY REMEMBERS ARTHUR FOWLER AND WILLIAM COPCUTT

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Corporal William Henry Andrewartha’s plaque on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue