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William George Russell

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William George Russell
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Personal Information
Date of Birth 20 Aug 1893
Place of Birth Latrobe, Tasmania
Death 11 May 1938
Place of Death East Witchcliffe, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 21 years, 6 months
Description 5'9" (1.75m) tall ; 157 lbs
71.214 kg
; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair ; scar on left knee
Occupation Loco Fireman
Religion Church of England
Address Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin Brother , Mr Patrick Russell
Military Information
Reg Number 686
Date of Enlistment 4 Feb 1916
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 44th Battalion, D Company transferred to 57th Battalion /15th Brigade, 5th Division
Date of Embarkation 6 Jun 1916 ‒ 20 Jul 1916
Ship Embarked On HMAT A29 Suevic
Date of Return 22 Jul 1917 ‒ 13 Sep 1917
Ship Returned On HMAT A71 Nestor
Fate Returned to Australia (medical)
Monument Jarrahdale Honour Roll
ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal




Pre War

Had tried to enlist in Kalgoorlie during 1915 but rejected due to defective teeth.

War Service

At Claremont camp on 26 Mar 1916 William, a member of the 44th Battalion, was charged with Using insubordinate and obscene language towards a Non Commissioned Officer. Found guilty, he was fined 5/- (50 cents).

Hospitalised while on the journey to England (12 Jul 1916), on arrival at Devonport on 20 Jul 1916, William was admitted to the Devonport General Hospital. On 14 Aug 1916 William was transferred to No 2 Command Depot in Weymouth, before transferring to the 57th Battalion on 11 Nov 1916.

On the same day, William proceeded overseas to France with the 57th Battalion aboard HMT Golden Eagle. Soon after arrival he was detached to the 2nd Australian General Hospital in Étaples for duty.

Received treatment for influenza as a patient from 6 - 11 Jan 1917, and then on 30 Apr 1917 at Wimereux he was charged with drunkenness while on Active Service, for which he was awarded 7 days Field Punishment No.1, and fined £1/15/- ($3.50).

This led to him being returned to the 5th Division's base Depot on 8 May 1917, and in turn to England on 22 May 1917. On arrival he was sent to the No.2 Command Depot at Weymouth for return to Australia due to the impact an old injury on his left knee (railway accident), aggravated by a fall, was restricting his usefulness. Found to be fit for home duties only, he was sent home. Discharged by 5th Military District on 1 Oct 1917.

Post War

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