He was born in Toongabbie, to Reuben and Annie Williamson.[1]
He studied at Sale Agricultural High School; and was transferred to Melbourne High School in 1914, where he was a popular and successful Manual arts teacher. At the time of his enlistment (19 June 1915) he was still working there as a school teacher.
Recruited from the Melbourne Teachers Training College, he played his first senior VFL match for Carlton on 18 May 1912, on the half-forward flank, against Collingwood, at Princes Park.[2]
He played two senior games for Carlton in his first year (1912), eight in his second (1913), and one in his third (1914). He transferred to Melbourne, playing his first senior match on 6 June 1914 against University (he scored three goals).
He was suspended for three weeks, when playing for Carlton, in June 1913 for elbowing Allan Belcher in a spiteful match against Essendon on 21 June 1913 (Belcher was suspended for four weeks for elbowing Williamson).[3]
On his transfer to Melbourne, he was suspended for three weeks for "rough conduct" during the 11 July 1914 match against St Kilda, and for 15 weeks for "elbowing and general roughness" during the match against Richmond on 22 August 1914 (his first match on return from the earlier suspension).[4]
In May 1919, an unidentified former Melbourne footballer, wrote to the football correspondent of The Argus as follows:
He enlisted on 19 June 1915; and, according to his service record, he held the rank of sergeant whilst training, was promoted to second lieutenant on 1 February 1916, to lieutenant on 10 March 1916, and to captain on 4 July 1916.
He served with distinction at Gallipoli, Egypt, and in France.
One of the statements gathered by the Red Cross investigating the circumstances of Williamson's wounding.[6]
Considered a natural leader, he was regarded as one of Australia's best officers. Williamson received the Commander in Chief's Congratulatory Card for showing "bravery and initiative".[7]
He was reported wounded and missing in action in France on 11 April 1917; it was later determined (in late November 1917) that he had died in action, on 11 April 1917, at Bullecourt in France fighting with the 14th Battalion.[1]
^The players left the field believing the match was drawn; however, it was immediately discovered that the scoreboard did not match the goal umpires' scorecards, and that an extra behind had been displayed for Carlton. The match was awarded to Collingwood, by one point (Collingwood's Success: A One-Point Win, The Argus, (Monday, 20 May 1912), p.5.)
An asterisk denotes that the family member was never VFL/AFL-listed. Non-VFL/AFL-listed family members were not included in the family tree unless they were necessary to provide a connection between family members.
Michael is disconnected because, while he is part of the family, it is unknown how he is related to the other members.
When the family member's surname is not stated, their surname is Ablett.
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