William had prior service with 24/39th Battalion when he enlisted in the A.I.F. on 13 Jun 1940 and was promoted Acting Corporal on 16 Aug 1940. He was posted 2/22nd Battalion on 29 Nov 1940 and revert to Private same day. He was promoted to Acting Corporal on 5 Mar 1941 and posted to Foster for commando training same day. He was an original member of the unit, appointed Lance Sergeant on 19 Aug 1941 and embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Lance Sergeant, in Headquarters Group. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942.
He transferred to 2/27th Australian Infantry Battalion and reverted to Private at his own request on 9 Jun 1943. He embarked for New Guinea aboard "DUNTROON" on 6 Aug 1943 with 2/27th. he was medevac'd to Australia aboard Hospital Ship "MANUNDA" on 5 Jan 1944. He re-joined the 2/27th on 22 Jun 1944. He was promoted Corporal on 16 Apr 1945 and transferred to Murchison P.O.W. Camp on 25 Apr 1945
He was discharged on 4 Apr 1946.
He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below
Edited by Peter Epps
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