| Regimental number | 239 |
| Place of birth | Derbyshire, England |
| School | Ambaston Church School, England |
| Age on arrival in Australia | 27 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Fitter |
| Address | Second Street, Pelaw Main, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 31 |
| Height | 5' 5" |
| Weight | 134 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, G. Wass, Anderston, near Derby, England |
| Previous military service | Served in South African War (Sherwood Foresters).; 3 years in Hong Kong; 1 year China; 1.5 years Singapore; 4 years in Army Reserve. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Randwick, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Signaller Corporal |
| Unit name | 2nd Battalion, Headquarters |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/19/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board TRANSPORT A23 Suffolk on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 54th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', Fourth Supplement No. 29664 (11 July 1916); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 176 (30 November 1916). |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | He also served in China and India with the Sherwood Foresters. |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | France |
| Age at death | 35 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 160 |
| Medals |
Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 5 April 1915. Promoted Sergeant to date from 8 April 1915. Wounded in action, 8 August 1915 (gun shot wound, head); admitted to 3rd Field Ambulance, 9 August 1915; transferred to Mudros, 11 August 1915, and thence to St George's Hospital, Malta, 16 August 1915; to St Patrick's Hospital, Malta, 21 August 1915; to England, 18 September 1915, and admitted to King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London SE, 24 September 1915. Proceeded to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from Weymouth (date not stated); rejoined Bn, Tel el Kebir, 20 February 1916. Transferred to 54th Bn, 22 February 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Killed in action, 19-20 July 1916. Note on file: 'austr. Sold. Wass, W.. 54. ... Nr. 4299. am 19.7.16. in Gegend Fromelles gefallen.' Red Cross File No 2861108: 'Identity disc received from Germany and despatched to N/K. 11.5.17.' 'The above name appeared on German death list dated 4.11.16.' Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, WASS William
Red Cross file 2861108 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
