Waddell-J-R-Gunner-22163

A PLUCKY RESCUE.

News is to hand that, on a recent voyage to England of an Australian transport, a soldier named Hyland fell overboard into a shark-infested area whilst the boat was going at a speed of 14 or 15 knots an hour. A private (Reginald Mills) immediately jumped overboard to the rescue, and supported Hyland, whilst another soldier (Tuckfield) came to their aid with a lifebuoy. The trio were a quarter of an hour in the water. Mills, who is just 18 years of age, is a strong swimmer. His only brother, Olly (following the footsteps of a great grandfather who fought on the Victory with Nelson at Trafalgar), is serving in the Australian Navy. P. W. Mills, a cousin, was proceeding to England (under engagement to Vicars [sic], munition makers) on board the Arabina when that vessel was torpedoed. They are nephews of Mrs. H. Ulmer, Ascot Vale. A brother of Mrs. Ulmer served at Gallipoli and returned after being wounded twice, and another brother is now at the front. Mr. Ulmer lost two nephews at Gallipoli, and a third returned wounded. L. Ulmer (Maribyrnong Camp) is a fourth, and J. Waddell (with the Howitzer Brigade, Salisbury, England) is a fifth.

A PLUCKY RESCUE. (1916, December 14). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 6 Edition: Morning. Retrieved March 30, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74601137

This incident may have occurred on the HMAT Nestor which embarked troops at Melbourne on 2 October 1916.  A Hyland, Mills and Tuckfield travelled on this vessel, though with different groups of reinforcements.

The Pike Correspondence, 1916-1917

Gertrude Pike to Archie Pike 20 Jan 1917

I see Johnnie Waddell is still in England & Dug Mintey.

Gertrude Pike to Archie Pike 16 Feb 1917

Dear Archie the mail came in to night & I got 2 from Frank & one from Johnnie Waddell.  Johnnie was saying he had not herd from you for a long while

Gertrude Pike to Archie Pike 23 Feb 1917

I had a letter from J Waddell he was saying he was still in England he as been there a long while

Dora Archer to Archie Pike 27 March 1917

Mum had a letter from Johnie Waddell and he is in France now

Dulcie Fleming to Archie Pike [6 April 1917 - Good Friday]

Do you ever meet Jack Waddell I wrote to him but he has not answered it yet.