Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Darwin, known as ‘Bill’, was born in Bendigo.   His nearest surviving relative was his Aunt, Mrs A. Murray, of Short Street, Bendigo.   ‘Bill’ was a Lunatic Asylum Warder – in charge of the Lunacy Rec. Ward, Bendigo.   He lived in the house of J. J. Montgomery, 56 Lilac Street, Bendigo.   Aged 22 years, he had previous military service in the Militia.   He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlisting on 18.8.14.   The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp.   He was allotted Service no. 780 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion.   Initially appointed as Orderly to Captain Hunter, ‘G’ Company, ‘Bill’ Darwin soon Qualified as a stretcher Bearer.  

In September the 7th Battalion Band was formed.   William Darwin had been Drum Major in the Bendigo Highland Pipe Band and immediately joined the 7th Battalion Band.    The Band was able to use instruments donated in Melbourne and music donated from Eaglehawk.    The Band played at Broadmeadows, and, later, on board ship, and while the battalion was in camp in Egypt.   

Prior to Embarkation he was Entertained by members of the Bendigo Highland Pipe band and presented with an inscribed wallet.   He was also Presented with a Gold medal by the members of the Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade.   

The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’.   Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids.   (6/12/14)     

In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized.   In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company.      This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.   

On March 15 William Darwin was admitted to Mena House Hospital with influenza, having been unwell for the previous two days.   He was discharged from hospital 3 weeks later, the day before the battalion moved off from Mena Camp.   

The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.   William Darwin was one of the men selected as Company Stretcher-bearers.   

In May, Lieut.-General Sir W.R. Birdwood, in command of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, was asked to provide part of the Australian force to assist in a British offensive at Cape Helles.    The 2nd Australian Brigade, which included the 7th Battalion, was one of two brigades provided.    The 7th Battalion left Anzac and disembarked at ‘V’ Beach, Cape Helles, on May 6th.  The battalion moved forward on May 8th in what was later known as the “2nd Battle of Krithia”  (8-11 May).   This battle achieved minimal gain and casualties were extremely high.     The battalion returned to Anzac Cove on 17th May 1915.   

On July 3rd the battalion moved into the trenches at Steele’s Post.  The downward slope behind Steele’s Post was directly overlooked by the Turks, who were in position on the higher ground.   Turkish riflemen made this area particularly unsafe.   The trenches were under fire from the Enemy Howitzer which frequently resulted in explosions which buried men.  

On August 8th the 7th Battalion moved into position at Lone Pine, preparing to participate in a Diversionary attack on the Turkish trenches on the 400 Plateau.    ‘D’ Company, under Lieut. W. J. Symons, was on the left, manning the line from Wood’s Post to Goldenstedt’s Post.      Heavy fighting ensued with multiple casualties.   William Darwin was Appointed A/Sgt on 28/8/15.   

He had been almost buried 6 times in the course of carrying wounded men back from the line.    On September 1st, when the battalion was in the trenches at Lone Pine, William Darwin was buried by a shell explosion whilst transporting a wounded man.   He sustained Shell Shock, and GSW to his hand and side.   The incident was later described in a letter written by one of the nurses while he was in hospital.  

Nurse L. Livingston.  Letter: “The last time this happened he was trying to get a dying man into a place of safety.   A shell burst, and they were both buried.   Darwin had to stay just as he was, still holding on to the poor man for 7 hours.   He got a hole scraped just enough to let him breathe.   When it was dark they were dug out, but the poor fellow he was trying to save was dead.”   [Bendigonian    May 11, 1916]   

William Darwin had not sought immediate medical attention, but waited until the battalion was withdrawn to Lemnos for a period of rest.     He was admitted to hospital on September 18th.   

Darwin: “I am in hospital slightly wounded.   I should have been in hospital some time ago, but wanted to remain with the rest until we were released.   When our spell came we were taken to an island about 100 miles away, for a good long spell.   When we arrived in our new camp I could not stand the pain any longer, and went into the hospital.   Here they found that I was hurt internally, a small piece having been broken off one of my ribs.   I may be sent to England to undergo an operation for the removal of the broken bone.”    [Bendigo Advertiser   November 27 1915]   

His condition was later confirmed as ‘Shell Shock’ with a further diagnosis of Typhoid/Enteric.     He RTA M.U.  on 17/10/16.   

“The First Lot.   7th Battalion.   The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone