William Howard Diment

The first Diment to South Australia was William, born on the 19 March 1821 at Beaford, Devon, England.  He arrived on the “WESTMINSTER” IN 1848.  He was a farmer who lived at Burton, Salisbury North.  He was a leading man in all religious movements, especially Burton Church.  William married to Jane Brock and they had the following children;

Francis was born in 1845 and died in 1903 aged 58 years old.

              Elizabeth was born in 1846 and died in 1923 aged 77 years old.

              Jane was born in 1849 and died in 1910 aged 61 years old.

              William was born in 1851 and died in 1854 aged 3 years old.

              Mary was born in 1852 and died in 1914 aged 62 years old.

              William was born in 1854 and died in 1890 aged 36 years old.

              George was born in 1856 and died in 1866 aged 10 years old.

              Annie was born in 1858 and died in 1942 aged 84 years old.

              John was born in 1860 and died in 1861 aged 1 year old.

              James was born in 1863 and died in 1941 aged 78 years old.

               Thomas Sampson was born in 1865 and died in 1908 aged 43 years old.

              Rebekah was born in 1867 and died in the same year.

Thomas Sampson Snell Diment married Mary Ann Clark who was 21 years old on the 17 April 1889.  They had the following children;

              Ivy Mary was born on the 10 May 1890 at Windsor.

              Lily Jane was born on the 8 August 1891 at Windsor.

              Jessie Nell was born on the 27 July 1893 at Gawler Plains.

              William Howard was born on the 7 August 1894 at Gawler Plains.

              Thomas Edward was born on the 9 November 1896 at Gawler Plains.

William Howard enlisted on the 4 January 1915 when he was 21 years old.  He was a farmer and had served 2 months in the 23^rd Light Horse at Smithfield and was still serving.    He was appointed to the 8^th Reinforcements of the 32^nd Battalion.

William embarked at Adelaide on the “SHROPSHIRE” to France.  He began fighting and was wounded in action on the 20 July 1916.  He embarked on the “ST. DAVID” at Boulogne, France for England.  He was admitted to Penbury VAD at Tonbridge Wells with wounds to his left leg and arm.  He re-joined his Battalion from hospital and proceeded overseas to France.  In December 1916, he was appointed Lance Corporal. 

William returned to the fighting and was again wounded in action on the 6 March 1917.  He was sent to the 8^th Training Battalion at Hurcott from France.  He was promoted to Corporal in June 1917.

On the 6 August 1917 he was placed on the supernumerary list on proceeding to the 8^th Training Battalion.  On the 2 November 1917 he was attached to the Permanent 15^th Training Battalion at Codford for duty.  He was appointed Acting Sergeant.  He was sent to France via Southampton from the Training Battalion, Codford.  While at Codford he went A.W.L. and lost 1 day’s pay.  He reverted to permanent grade of Corporal.  He returned to France and began fighting again.

On the 24 April 1918 he was wounded in action and gassed.  After six months rest he returned to France.   When the war ended he went to England on the 7 January 1919.  He left England on the H.T. “PLASSY” for Australia, and discharged on the 12 June 1919. 

When William was 25 years old he married Zitta Wright, also 25 years old on the 16 August 1919 at the Methodist Church, Burton.  Zitta’s father was Henry Wright.  William and Zitta had the following Children;

              Elma Lulu was born on the 16 June 1920 at Salisbury.

              Ann Mary was born on the 13 September 1921 at Prospect.

              Florence Britta was born on the 12 October 1922 at Prospect.

              Robert Wright was born on the 19 June 1924 at Prospect.

              James William was born on the 19 August 1925 at Prospect.

William died on the 6 July 1982 at Daw Park aged 87 years old and Zitta died on the 24 July 1949 aged 55 years old at Salisbury.

William appears on the Virginia Honour Board.