| Regimental number | 915 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | The Three Mile, near Beechworth, Victoria |
| School | State School, Beechworth (1883-97); Three Mile State School, near Beechworth, Victoria |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Engine driver |
| Address | PO Eldorado, Eldorado, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 29 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs A Rankins, PO Eldorado, Eldorado, Victoria |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 29th Battalion, C Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/46/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 490 Corporal Ernest Earl RANKINS, 21st Bn, killed in action, 25 February 1917; Cousin: 877 Pte Walter Thomas HUDSWELL, 21st Bn, killed in action, 9 October 1917. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Name recorded on Embarkation Roll as William Reginald RANKIN. |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 87 |
| Place of burial | Cremated: Albury, New South Wales; ashes interred in parents' grave, Eldorado Cemetery, Victoria |