Malvern College First World War Casualty

Private Wilfred Quihampton

Photo of Wilfred Quihampton
House and time at Malvern: No 3, 1901 - 1903.

Regiment: Australian Infantry.
Died: 19 July 1916 aged 30 in France. Killed in action.
Battle: Battle of the Somme. Cemetery: VC Corner Australian Fromelles 11

Son of William G. and Clara Quihampton, of Wood Cottage, Nutfield, Surrey, b. 1886.
Middle IV B—Upper IV C.
Formerly in British Columbia; later Farmer in Canada.
Great War, Private, 54th Bn. Australian Infantry. 1914.

'He was the younger of two brothers in No. 3. As a New Boy he was remarkable for his very large size, and he rejoiced in the name of "Jumbo." His extreme good-nature made him a most popular boy. On leaving school he went out to farm in British Columbia, and moved into Canada later on. When war broke out he answered the call of his country, and served as a Private in the Australian Imperial Force. He was killed in action in July 1917.' (Malvernian, Jun 1918).

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 19/20 July 1916.

Letter from 4310 R.O. SAMUELS, to Mrs Quihampton, 14 August 1916: 'As I am the other remaining friend of your son, W. Quihampton, it is my duty to write you a short letter. The day after we embarked in Sydney he gave me your address and told me that if anything should ever happen [to] him to write to you and tell you that he had done his best for home and country and now, Mrs. Quihampton, it has fallen to my lot to send this this cruel news, but you must be brave and, besides, it was God's will so we must not complain, and there are thousands of other mothers who have to mourn the loss of their dear ones, but I can feel for you, Madam, because I lost my brother in the same charge and I have to send the cruel news to my dear mother, but you know when we enlist we know that we can't all go home again, some of us must give our lives. Your boy was my best chum and I know I will never get another friend like him in this world, he was in every sense of the word a pure man. There is a possibility of your son coming to light again, but I feel sure he was killed. I can give you no hope, so, dear Mrs. Quihampton, do be brave and don't cry; you son was a brave, good man.'
Biography at AIF including further letter to his mother

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