The AIF Project

William Kirk HARLEY

Regimental number2175
Place of birthKirkintilloch, Scotland
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationIronfounder
AddressAdelaide, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation37.2
Height5' 2.75"
Weight126 lbs
Next of kinFather, Allen Cameron Harley, Sun Foundry, Hindley Street, Adelaide, South Australia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date2 May 1916
Place of enlistmentKirkintilloch, Scotland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name48th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/65/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A70 Ballarat on 12 August 1916
Regimental number from Nominal Roll2175A
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll48th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 21 June 1919
Discharge date15 September 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Wounded in action, 13 October 1917 (gun shot wound, back).

Married Edith Maria NEWELL, spinster, aged 38, Register Office, Wandsworth, 6 December 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Konigin Luise', 21 June 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Adelaide, 25 September 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

In October 2025 locals found a bottle on Wharton Beach, Western Australia. It contained two handwritten letters, one from Harley to his mother, the other from Malcolm Alexander NEVILLE to his mother: https://esperanceweekender.com.au/wwi-letters-will-finally-make-it-home-after-crazy-discovery-on-wharton-beach/
Date of death31 December 1934
Place of burialWest Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia
SourcesNAA: B2455, HARLEY William Kirk

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