William BEATTIE

Regimental number1870
Place of birthDown, Ireland
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationLengthsman
AddressGoodwood via Bundaberg, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation28
Height5' 7.5"
Weight139 lbs
Next of kinBrother, James Beattie, Ballyhalbert, Co Louth, Ireland
Previous military serviceServed for 3 years in the Royal Naval Reserve.
Enlistment date19 January 1916
Place of enlistmentBrisbane, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name52nd Battalion 3rd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/69/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A46 Clan Mcgillivray on 1 May 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll41st Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 10 May 1919
Discharge date16 August 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Brisbane on HMAT 'Clan MacGillivray', 1 May 1916; appointed VO Corporal, 5 June 1916.

Embarked Alexandria on HMT 'Megantic' and proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force, 6 August 1916; rank reverted to Private, 7 August 1916; disembarked Southampton, England, 16 August 1916; marched into 13th Training Bn, Rollestone, 16 August 1916.

Found guilty at Rollestone, 31 August 1916, of (1) overstaying leave, 29 August 1916, and (2) disobeying orders, 31 August 1916: reprimanded by superior officer; forfeits total of 1 day's pay; taken on strength of 42nd Bn, 23 September 1916.

Proceeded to France through Southampton, 25 November 1916; detached to 3rd Divisional School, Etaples, 4 February 1917; rejoined unit in the field, 18 February 1917; promoted to Corporal, 26 February 1917; rank reverts to Lance Corporal, 2 March 1917; rank reverted to Private, 24 April 1917.

Admitted to 11th Australian Field Ambulance, 2 October 1917, and transferred to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 3 October 1917; to 10th Casualty Clearing Station, 3 October 1917 (multiple gun shot wounds); to Ambulance Train '6', 3 October 1917; admitted to 15th Australian General Hospital, Abbeville, 4 October 1917. Proceeded to England on HS 'Grantully Castle', 18 October 1917; admitted to 3rd Western General Hospital, Newport, 19 October 1917; transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 4 December 1917; discharged on furlough, 6 December 1917. Marched into No 4 Command Depot, 20 December 1917; marched into No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 10 January 1918.

Found guilty at Bwicombe, 12 March 1918, of neglecting to obey a direct order, 9 March 1918: awarded 2 days' confinement to camp; marched into Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 2 May 1918; marched into 2nd Training Brigade, 13 May 1918, and posted to 9th Training Bn, Fovant.

Proceeded to France through Folkestone, 29 August 1918; marched into Australian Infantry Training Depot, Rouelles, 3 August 1918; rejoined unit in the field, 4 September 1918; taken on strength of 41st Bn, 23 October 1918; moved in from the field, 2 April 1919. Proceeded to England, 7 April 1919; marched into No 3 Group, Codford, 8 April 1919.

Embarked Tilbury and commenced return to Australia on HT 'Wahehe', 10 May 1919; disembarked Sydney, 1 July 1919. Discharged Brisbane, 16 August 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, BEATTIE William