Lieutenant Hurman Vivian-Williams
- Rank
- Lieutenant
- Service number
- WX3895
- Decorations
- Mentioned in Despatches
- Unit
- 2/16 Battalion
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action
- Place of death
- New Guinea
- Date of death
- 8 September 1942
- Age
- 32
- Plaque number
- L372A
- Co-located plaques
- L372 - PTE Lloyd Wallace
- Dedicated by
- Niece on 22 August 2009
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
Lieutenant Hurman Vivian-Williams of 2/16 Battalion was born in Greenmount in June 1910. He was one of three children born to John and Alice Vivian-Williams and they lived in South Perth.
After leaving school he was employed at Brisbane and Wunderlich and studied accountancy at night school.
Hurman was married to Grace Gregson and they had one son who was eight when his father died.
He enlisted in Perth in June 1940 and was posted to 2/16 Battalion which had been recently formed in Perth in April.
The battalion embarked at Fremantle in October, bound for Egypt and after training in Palestine, took up defensive positions at Mersa Matruh where he was promoted to sergeant.
They were then heavily involved in the Syrian campaign and fought in the Battle of Damour.
Prior to his return to Australia in March 1942, he was commissioned.
After jungle training they went to Port Moresby in August 1942 and were soon in action on the Kokoda trail where they suffered heavy casualties.
Lieutenant Hurman Vivian-Williams was killed in action on the Kokoda Trail on 8 September 1942. He was 29.
He was mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished service in the South-west Pacific area.