William James Barnard
From Our Contribution
 Ancestry.com | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1892 |
| Place of Birth | Ipswich, Suffolk, England |
| Death | 9 February 1944, aged 51 |
| Place of Death | North Perth, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 |
| Description |
5'7¼" (1.71m) tall ; 117 lbs 53.07 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 April 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 32nd Battalion, 10th Reinforcement / 8th Brigade, 5th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 30 October 1916 ‒ 28 December 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A16 Port Melbourne Fremantle to Devonport |
| Date of Return | 31 January 1918 ‒ 14 February 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A33 Ayrshire |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Kelmscott War Memorial (West panel) Kelmscott Congregational Church Honour Board |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
1916 Electoral Roll lists him as a carter living in River road, Kelmscott.
War Service
An earlier attempt to enlist on 6 Jan 1916 was refused due to cardiac weakness. 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 prior to embarkation on 30 Oct 1916 aboard HMAT A16 Port Melbourne. They disembarked in Davenport on 28 December.
On arrival in England, he spent six months with the 8th Training Battalion in Hurdcott before being sent to France on 9 Jul 1917 where he then spent another six months with the Australian Infantry Based Depot in Le Havre, before returning to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth in England on 7 Jan 1918.
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 by the 5th Military District on 19 May 1918.
Post War
During 1932, William married Inez Shirley Brigatti in the metro area. 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.[1]
References
- ↑ "Family Notices". The West Australian. 60, (17,968). Western Australia. 10 February 1944. p. 1. Retrieved 18 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia.