| Regimental number | 4992 |
| Place of birth | Thebarton, South Australia |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Pipe-layer |
| Address | Southwark, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 23 |
| Height | 5' 7.25" |
| Weight | 154 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Elizabeth Cantwell, Port Road, Southwark, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Keswick, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 27th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board A37 Barambah on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Adelaide, 27 June 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 25 August 1916. Found guilty, 18 September 1916, of overstaying leave from 2400 hours, 11 September 1916, until 2400 hours, 24 September 1916: awarded 168 hours' detention, and total forfeiture of 10 days' pay. Proceeded overseas to France from 7th Training Bn, 29 September 1916; marched into 2nd Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 1 October 1916. Transferred to 32nd Bn, 15 October 1916. Wounded in action, 22 November 1916; admitted to No 38 Casualty Clearing Station, 23 November 1916; transferred to No 2 General Hospital, 30 November 1916 (gunshot wound, neck and left leg); to England, 6 December 1916 (gunshot wound, neck and left thigh); to No 2 Southern General Hospital, Bristol, 7 December 1916; to No 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 29 January 1917; discharged to furlough, 12 February 1917; marched into No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 28 February 1917 (Class B1A). Marched into No 4 Command Depot, Wareham, 16 March 1917. Transferred to 70th Bn, 23 March 1917, and taken on strength of 70th Bn, the same day. Transferred to 32nd Bn from 69th Draft Bn, 19 September 1917. Proceeded overseas to France from 8th Training Bn, 14 October 1917; marched into 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Le Havre, 15 October 1917. Proceeded to unit, 18 October 1917; taken on strength of 32nd Bn, in the field, 26 October 1917. Tried by Field General Court Martial, 2 March 1918, on charges of, (1) deserting His Majesty's Service; (2) absenting himself without leave from 1600 hours, 4 February 1918, until 1500 hours, 15 February 1918: found Not Guilty on charge 1; Guilty on charge 2: awarded 28 days' Field Punishment No 2, and total forfeiture of 52 days' pay. Tried by Field General Court Martial, 30 May 1918, on a charge of deserting His Majesty's service: found Guilty: awarded 90 days' Field Punishment No 1, and total forfeiture of 108 days' pay. Wounded in action (second occasion), 17 June 1918; admitted to No 15 Australian Field Ambulance, 17 June 1918; transferred to No 61 Casualty Clearing Station, 17 June 1918; to No 27 Ambulance Train, 17 June 1918; to No 5 General Hospital, Rouen, 18 June 1918; to England, 19 June 1918 (gunshot wound, left wrist); to Military Hospital, Woking, 20 June 1918; to No 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 23 August 1918; discharged to furlough, 26 August 1918; marched into No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 9 September 1918. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Saxon', 11 December 1918; disembarked Fremantle, 13 February 1919; discharged Adelaide (medically unfit: gunshot wound, left wrist), 10 April 1919. Total war service: 3 years 303 days (of which 2 years 235 days were aboard). Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, CANTWELL William |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
