William Francis James Elliott
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 31 Aug 1912 |
| Place of Birth | Hastings, England |
| Death | 9 May 1981, aged 68 |
| Place of Death | Busselton, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 29 years, 4 months |
| Description | ; blue eyes ; fair hair ; scar on right leg |
| Occupation | Truck driver |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 'The Homestead' Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Winifred Rose Elliott |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX19251 |
| Date of Enlistment | 21 Jan 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 1st Australian Armoured Brigade Company AASC |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 27 Mar 1942 ‒ 1 Apr 1942 |
| Transport Details | USAT Monterey Fremantle to Melbourne |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Attended Mundijong Primary School in 1924-25.
War Service
Bill enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 21 Jan 1942 and was sent to the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion at Northam on 26 Jan 1942 to train with the 2/32nd Infnatry Battalion reinforcements. On 9 Feb 1942 he was posted to the Group Support Company AASC, and on 27 Mar 1942 he boarded USAT Monterey for Melbourne where he disembarked on 1 Apr 1942. On 4 Apr 1942 he joined his unit at Tamworth. On 25 May 1942 he was admitted to the 102nd Australian General Hospital, returning to his unit on 30 May 1942 to continue training until 2 Nov 1942 when he was posted to the 1st Australian Armoured Brigade Company AASC.
On 9 Nov 1942 Bill was admitted to the 11th Australian Casualty Clearing Station with Enterocolitis, before being released on 15 Nov 1942. He had returned to his unit on 19 Nov 1942 in time to travel with them to Western Australia, leaving New South Wales on 12 Dec 1942 and arriving in WA on 22 Dec 1942. On 15 May 1943 Bill was detached to HQ 1st Australian Armoured Brigade's Band until 1 Jun 1943 when he rejoined his AASC unit. On 22 Jul 1943 Bill was charged with having been AWOL from midnight 22 Jul 1943 until 10:15am on 23 Jul 1943. He was fined £1 (4 days pay) and automatically forfeited a day's pay.
On 14 Aug 1943 Bill was admitted to the 3rd Australian Light Field Ambulance with appendicitis, and they passed him to the 108th Australian Casualty Clearing Station the same day. On 27 Aug 1943 his care had been transferred to the 110th Australian Base Hospital. On 24 Sep 1943 he was transferred to the 118th Australian General Hospital, and on 18 Oct 1943 he had recovered enough to be released to the York Convalescent Home. They in turn transferred him to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot on 16 Nov 1943 enroute to his unit which he rejoined on 19 Nov 1943. However, on 29 Nov 1943, Bill was admitted to the 2/14th Australian Light Field Ambulance with Diarrhoea . On 1 Dec 1943 they transferred him to the 103rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station for treatment, before he rejoined his unit on 15 Dec 1943.
On 17 Dec 1943 Bill was seen by a Medical Board in the Field, and was reclassified as 'B', leading tohim being sent back to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for reassignment on 10 Jan 1944. Bill was granted two months LWOP from 25 Jan 1944 until 25 Mar 1944, leading to the decision to discharge him on the grounds of his employment in the Dairy industry - Essential Supplies, dated 13 Mar 1944
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1954 - 1968 Rosa Brook, dairy farmer; 1972 - 1980 at lot 22 Geographe Bay road, Wonnerup, farmer.
Notes