This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who died during The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Tasker, William George (‘Twit’) played for Australia Internationals: 6 : 1913 NZ- NZ- NZ+ ; 1914 NZ- NZ- NZ- William Tasker was born on 1892, in Condobolin, NSW, the son of David Henry and Helene Tasker. Played as a Fly-half for: Newington College, Newtown, NSW Profession: Bank Clerk and Law Student. Remarks: Captained his School and Greater Public Schools First XVs. Captained Newtown RFC, and first played for NSW in 1912. Toured New Zealand and North America in 1913 and formed an effective partnership with Fred Wood, including engineering four tries in Australia’s 16-5 victory in the third international v New Zealand. Played for NSW 13 times. War service: Enlisted in the 13th Battalion AIF (3rd Reinforcements) on 26 January 1915, and departed Sydney on board HMAT A49 Seang Choon on 11 February 1915. He was severely wounded at Quinn’s Post, Gallipoli before being invalided back to Australia. On 2 August 1916 he re-enlisted as 29167, Gunner, in the 116th Howitzer Battery, 13th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery, and departed Sydney on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 30 September 1916. He was twice wounded on the Western Front before being killed. He was killed in action on 9 August 1918, at Harbonières, France, and is buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Somme. France [Grave XIX. D. 2.].
William George Tasker enlisted in the AIF in January 1915 - a Gunner in the 12th Field Artillery Brigade, 13th Battalion (Australia) He took took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove - landing late on 25 April, 1915 ..... from May to August the 13th battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the ANZAC front lines. Tasker was severely wounded at Quinn's Post at Gallipoli with shell fragment damage to his legs and ankle. He was invalided back to Australia. In 1916 he re-enlisted with the 116th Howitzer Battery and he again embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 30 September. He saw further action on the Western Front and was twice wounded before his death from wounds at Harbonnieres on the second day of the Battle of Amiens just three months before war's end. He is buried at the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery In Memory of Gunner WILLIAM GEORGE TASKER 29167, 13th Bde., Australian Field Artillery who died age 26 on 09 August 1918 Son of David Henry and Helene Tasker. Born at Condobolin, New South Wales. Remembered with honour VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MILITARY CEMETERY
Thanks for that. I think that the strange-looking jersey that he's wearing in the photo is from Newington College, whose emblem is a griffin, or something like that. Gareth
