| Regimental number | 2371 |
| Place of birth | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Monumental mason |
| Address | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 30 |
| Height | 5' 8" |
| Weight | 143 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Sarah Jane Sinclair, Virginia, via Brisbane, Queensland |
| Previous military service | Served for 6 years in the 7th Scottish Rifles. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 49th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/66/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A49 Seang Choon on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Robert and Elizabeth SINCLAIR |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'During the night attack astride the BRAY-CORBIE Road on 29th July, Sergeant SINCLAIR was ordered early in the operation to take command of No. 3 platoon when his officer was detailed for other work. He carried out these duties with marked coolness and judgement and by his actions set a high standard for his platoon. Sergeant SINCLAIR had the responsibility of maintaining the Right flank of the Battalion and his initiative and splendid work kept this secure throughout. He directed and led operations against a number of Bosche posts most successfully and although half his platoon became casualties he maintained and consolidated his position in a most exemplary manner as well as himself attending to the handling of wounded and prisoners and their evacuation during the advance. Sergeant SINCLAIR's great daring, coolness and quickness of action went far towards ringing the work of his platoon to a successful issue.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 36 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Brisbane, 19 September 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 9 December 1916; marched in to 13th Training Bn, 13 December 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 18 February 1917; taken on strength, 32nd Bn, in the field, 19 March 1917. Appointed Corporal, 29 March 1917; appointed Sergeant, 8 April 1917. Detached to 8th Training Bn, England, 30 June 1917; marched in to 8th Training Bn, Hurdcott, 4 July 1917. Marched in to 15th Training Bn, Codford, 5 November 1917. Attended 15th Rifle Course, School of Musketry, Tidworth, 1-30 November 1917: qualified as 1st Class with a fair working knowledge of the Lewis Gun. Proceeded overseas to France, 10 January 1918; rejoined 32nd Bn, in the field, 15 January 1918. Awarded Military Medal. Detached to Australian Corps Bombing School, 23 October 1918. Admitted to 3rd Australian General Hospital, Abbeville, 31 October 1918 (influenza); transferred to England, 21 November 1918, and admitted to County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury; transferred to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 28 November 1918; discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 30 November 1918. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Argyllshire', 9 December 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 1 February 1919, for onward travel to Brisbane; discharged (medically unfit), Brisbane, 25 March 1919. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 41 |
| Place of burial | Lutwyche Cemetery, Queensland |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, SINCLAIR William Lauder |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
