Regimental number | 1921 |
Place of birth | Armagh, Ireland |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Farmer |
Address | c/o Mrs Lucy Allan, Wood Street, Mackay, Queensland |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 33 |
Height | 5' 8.5" |
Weight | 141 lbs |
Next of kin | William John Best, 3 Russels Street, Armagh, Ireland |
Previous military service | Nil |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Mackay, Queensland |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 9th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/26/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A55 Kyarra on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 9th Battalion |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Discharge date | |
Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Brisbane, 16 April 1915; joined unit, Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 27 June 1915. Admitted to General Hospital, 31 August 1915; discharged from hospital and rejoined unit, 3 September 1915. Appointed Lance Corporal, Lemnos, 4 December 1915; marched in to Alexandria, Egypt, 4 January 1916; promoted to Corporal, Serapeum, 12 March 1916. Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 27 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 3 April 1916; promoted to Sergeant, 20 April 1916. Wounded in action, 25 July 1916; admitted to 22nd General Hospital, Camiers, 27 July 1916 (shell shock); transferred to No 6 Convalescent Depot, 30 July 1916; discharged to duty and marched in to 1st Australian Division Base Depot, Etaples, 2 August 1916; rejoined 9th Bn from Hospital, 5 August 1916. Wounded in action, admitted to 3rd Field Ambulance and transferred to 9th Casualty Clearing Station, 13 April 1917 (gun shot wound to left thigh); to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, 14 April 1917; to No 6 Ambulance Train, 15 April 1917; to 6th General Hospital, Rouen, 16 April 1917; to England, 2 May 1917; admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road, England, 3 May 1917; transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 23 July 1917; discharged from hospital and marched in to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 27 July 1917. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Suevic', 27 September 1917; disembarked Melbourne, 18 November 1917; discharged 26 December 1917 (medically unfit: gun shot wound to left thigh). Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Sources | NAA: B2455, BEST William John |