William George Ward

William George Ward

Personal Information
Date of Birth	2 Sep 1912
Place of Birth	Kiderminster, England
Age at Enlistment	27 years, 1 month
Occupation	Miner
Religion	Church of England
Address	Sixth road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. W G Ward
Military Information
Reg Number	WX1195
Date of Enlistment	7 Nov 1939
Rank	Lance Corporal
Unit/Formation	2/3rd Australian Field Company
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	20 Apr 1940 ‒ 18 May 1940
Transport Details	HMT Nevasa Fremantle to Kantara, Egypt
Transfers
Journey Dates	26 Mar 1941 ‒ ?? Mar 1941
Transport Details	unknown Egypt to Greece
Journey Dates	?? Apr 1941 ‒ 1 May 1941
Transport Details	unknown Greece to Egypt
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	?? Apr 1942 ‒ 15 May 1942
Transport Details	SS Félix Roussel Egypt to Fremantle
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Africa Star War medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 Greek Commemorative War Medal 1940-41

War Service

Bill enlisted at the Subiaco Recruiting Depot on 7 Nov 1939 and the next day he was posted to the Engineers 2/3rd Australian Field Company at Northam to begin his training. On 8 Dec 1939 he entrained in Northam for New South Wales where he continued his training at Ingleburn. He was granted pre-embarkation leave in Western Australia on 16 Mar 1940, returning to duty on 1 Apr 1940. Bill then embarked on the HMT Nevasa in Fremantle on 20 Apr 1940, disembarking at Kantara, Egypt on 18 May 1940. On 24 Jun 1940, Bill was taken on strength by the 6th Australian Infantry Division Signals Company. On 16 Jul 1940 Bill was charged with 'Failing to appear at a place of Parade for Prowler Guard at 5:45pm and was absent until 6:00pm'. His reward was two extra days of Prowler Guard.

On 14 Aug 1940 Bill was admitted to the camp hospital at Kilo 89 with an infected face, rejoining his unit on 16 Aug 1940. In Palestine on 21 Nov 1940 he was charged with 'Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, for which he was fined 10/- ($1). Despite this, on 2 Feb 1941 he was appointed Lance Corporal. He embarked for Greece on 26 Mar 1941, but his stay was brief as he was admitted to the 63rd British General Hospital on 23 Apr 1941 suffering from burns and fracture ribs. On 1 May 1941 he was released to the New Zealand Convalescent Depot, which implied his return from Greece was very late in April or on 1 May. On 8 May 1941 Bill was transferred to the 2/1st Australian Convalescent Depot, before being released to the Signals Training Battalion on 19 May 1941. He was transferred back to the 6th Australian Infantry Division Signals Company on 24 May 1941.

On 9 Jul 1941 Bill was transferred to the staff of the 2/5th Australian General Hospital. In early December Bill spent some time in the 16th Combined General Hospital, returning to his unit on 9 December. He was admitted to the 2/8th Australian Special Hospital on 25 Dec 1941, and released on 21 Jan 1942 to the AAMC Training Wing. On 15 May 1942 Bill disembarked from the SS Félix Roussel in Fremantle and was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital. He was then released to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot at Narrogin suffering with Pneumonia and a month later on 29 Jun 1942 he was returned to duty.

On 1 Sep 1942 Bill was taken on strength by the Returnees Depot of Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. On 24 Nov 1942 he was assessed by a Medical Board which assessed him as being 'D'. From 7 Dec 1942 until 6 Jan 1943 Bill was on leave before being discharged the next day, i.e. 7 Jan 1943 as Medically Unfit.