Regiment unknown. An older brother of Thomas, born at Cootamundra in 1876.
His name appears on the Boer War Honour Board in the Bungendore War Memorial Hall.
The 1908 Electoral Roll listed him as a Fettler working at Bungendore.
He enlisted on the 21 February 1916 in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) for the Great War as Sapper No. 4439, No 6 Tunnelling Company. At this time he was reported as being single and working as a labourer. His address was given as Narrogin, Western Australia and his Next of Kin was his Mother, Mrs Ryan, Bungendore NSW. This Record does not mention any previous Military experience.
He embarked from Fremantle on board HMAT A69 Warilda on 01 June 1916.
Wounded 18 April 1917 he was transferred to London General Hospital with a Gun Shot Wound Right Chest on 26 April 1917.Subsequently he was invalided back to Australia and discharged from the AIF 5 October 1917 on “account of medical unfitness and being over military age”.
William’s connection with Bungendore is understood however details of his Boer War Service remain unclear.
Note: Why William nominated Mrs Ryan of Bungendore as his NOK on enlistment in the AIF is unknown. The NAA documents have been amended (overwritten) in red to have his NOK recorded as Mrs Overend, Bungendore. NSW.
See also: BUNGENDORE & DISTRICT WAR MEMORIAL SOUTH AFRICAN (BOER) WAR 1899-1902 ROLL OF HONOUR ISBN: 978-0-646-55612-3 Peter John Hugonnet 2011