Lancelot (Lance) William Cornell

Lancelot (Lance) William Cornell

Pay book photo
Personal Information
Date of Birth	15 Jul 1897
Place of Birth	Lode, Cambridgeshire, England
Death	17 Feb 1962, aged 64
Place of Death	Carlisle, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	43 years, 6 months
Description	5'7" (1.70m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark hair ; scar on left shin
Occupation	Railway employee
Religion	Church of England
Address	Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Ivy Roberta Cornell
Military Information
Reg Number	W31796
Date of Enlistment	4 Jan 1941
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	5th Australian Garrison Battalion
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia

Pre War

The 1911 English census lists Lance as a 13 year old servant (domestic page) The Younger, The Vicarage, Monkton,Ramsgate, Isle of Thaney, Kent. On 23 Jul 1921 he sailed from London on the SS Orsova for Fremantle. During 1923 Lance married Ivy Roberta Beynon (1903- 1981). Ivy died in Wilson on 18 Sep 1981. They had a son, Roy Lance Cornell (1923-1984).

Lance was employed by the WA Government Railways from 21 Jul 1924 as a Repairer, serving in South Kumminin, Manjimup from 1927, Yalgoo from 1928 and then Armadale from 1931 until he enlisted in the Army. Electoral Roll entries: 1925 at South Kumminin, railway employee (near Beverley)1931 Post Office Yalgoo, railway employee; 1931 at Fourth road, Armadale with Ivy; 1936 - 1943 at Sixth road, Armadale, railway employee;

War Service

On 4 Jan 1941 at Claremont, Lance enlisted in the par time 'Y' (Reserve) Company of the 5th Australian Garrison Battalion at Swanbourne, and was called up for full time duty on 27 Jan 1941. On 1 Jan 1944 Lance was declared to be proficient and therefore entitled to extra pay. However, on 24 Jan 1944 he was evacuated to the 110th Australian Base Hospital, who on the 28th transferred him to the 118th Australian General Hospital at Naval Base for treatment for 'wasting of right hand'. On 26 Feb 1944 he was medically reclassified 'B', and on 21 Apr 1944 'D' due to his condition of progressive Muscular Atrophy, leading to a medical discharge via Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot on 28 Apr 1944.

discharged 28 Apr 1944

Post War

Following his discharge, Lance returned to work for the railways, but with poor health he was now a Goods Porter in the Perth Goods Yard. On 10 Sep 1958 he retired due to ill health. Electoral Roll entries: 1954 - 1958 at 66 Jupiter street, Carlisle. goods porter.