| Regimental number | 1144 |
| Place of birth | West Maitland, New South Wales |
| Other Names | William Bede |
| School | Public School, New South Wales |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Miner |
| Address | Kurri Kurri, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 31 |
| Height | 5' 7.25" |
| Weight | 157 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Stoddart, Kurri Kurri, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 31st Battalion, Headquarters |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/48/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on |
| From Embarkation Records it is not possible to distinguish exactly which ship an individual in the Headquarters embarked. Two ships left Melbourne carrying men from the 31st Battalion: HMAT A62 Wandilla on 9 November 1915 and HMAT A41 Bakara on 5 November 1915 | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 31st Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | France |
| Age at death | 36 |
| Place of burial | Anzac Cemetery (Plot I, Row F, Grave No. 4), Sailly-Sur-La-Lys, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 119 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Robert John and Ellen STODDART. Native of West Maitland, New South Wales |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Disembarked Suez, ex-HMT 'Wandilla', 7 December 1915. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Killed in action, 19 July 1916. Buried Sailly-sur-La-Lys Cemetery by Reverend W. Meredith Holliday, 20 July 1916. Statement, Red Cross File No 2640406, 1518 Pte A. GEORGE, 31st Bn, 16 november 1916: 'I, with others, was standing in a bay waiting orders to go over, when an H.E. shell broke over him and killed him instantly. He was buried next day in the vicinity.' Second statement, 819 Pte J.R. BLACKMAN, 31st Bn (patient, Queen's Hospital, Birmingham, England), 26 July 1916: 'On 19th July, 1916, about 7 p.m. at Fleurbaix, South of Armentieres', after charge had been made William Stoddart [was] instantly killed by informant's side about 6.30 p.m.' Third statement, 861 Sergeant J. GRIFFITHS, 31st Bn, 9 January 1917: 'I was on duties keeping our ammunition supply between our front line and captured German trenches. I had charge of Stoddart and others, a number of whom were also killed and wounded by the shell that accounted for Stoddart. His death was instantaneous[,] fragments of shell penetrating the chest and more than likely heart. He fell in my arms and never spoke or showed any signs of life after being hit.' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, STODDART William
Red Cross File No 2640406 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
