William James Barnard

Personal Information
Date of Birth	unknown
Place of Birth	Ipswich, Suffolk, England
Death	9 Feb 1944
Place of Death	North Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	24 years old
Description	5'7¼" (1.71m) tall; weight 117 lbs (53.1 kg); fresh complexion, blue eyes, fair hair
Occupation	carter
Religion	Congregational
Address	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Sister Mrs Emma Buckingham
Military Information
Reg Number	4024
Date of Enlistment	25 Apr 1916
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	32nd Battalion, 10th Reinforcement / 8th Brigade, 5th Division
Date of Embarkation	30 Oct 1916 - 28 Dec 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A16 Port Melbourne
Date of Return	31 Jan 1918 - 14 Feb 1918
Ship Returned On	HMAT A33 Ayrshire
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument	Kelmscott Kelmscott Congregational Church Honour Board
Medals	British War Medal

Pre War

1916 Electoral Roll lists him as a carter living in River road, Kelmscott.

War Service

Initially at Blackboy camp William was to join the 22nd Reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion, but this was changed to the 10th reinforcement draft for the 32nd Battalion just prior to embarkation.

He spent six months in England with the 8th Training Battalion in Hurdcott before being sent to France where he then spent another six months with rear echelon bases in Le Havre, before returning to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth in England.

So, although he did reach France, he did not join his front line unit as he was ruled unfit with cardiac weakness (Mitral stenosis) and was sent home early. Discharged 5th Military District 19 May 1918.

Post War

In 1936 he was a musician living with Inez at 7 Prospect place, Balkatta, while in 1943 they were at 62 Burt street North Perth. Death notice mentions wife Inez and 3 children - Glenys, Cedric, and Peter. William died at home.