Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Mounted Constable William Marchbank 5402
[Reappointed as 5643]
Police Station, Beechworth, Victoria
Appointed, in 1908, to the Victoria Police Force in 1908. Resigning, in 1910, The third child of James William Marchbank and Janet Scott, William ‘Bill’ Marchbank was a burly player who made three appearances for Carlton Football Club in 1908, the year of his appointment to the Victoria Police Force.
Following a year with North Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football Association [VFA], he joined Fitzroy playing 22 games over three seasons [1910-1912]. Resigning from the Victoria Police during 1910, Bill Marchbank was reappointed during the year following.
Serving, on 17 June 1911, as a mounted trooper at the South Melbourne-Essendon football match, Bill Marchbank sustained a fracture of his right kneecap whilst attempting to settle his horse, a spirited animal, frightened at the cheering of the large crowd.
Serving at Mooroopna, in October 1911, Mounted Constable Marchbank was transferred to Beechworth in November 1912, coinciding with the station being declared a bicycle station with Bill Marchbanks's horse taken away. Except on the score of economy the change had nothing to recommend it as the hilly roads about Beechworth were not exactly suited to bicycle riding. Perhaps the declaration did not perturb Bill Marchbank a great deal as he remained three years, playing with the Beechworth in the club’s 1913 and 1914 premierships, captaining the team in the latter year.
Enlisting, from Beechworth on 8 July 1915, AIF, William Marchbank was appointed Sergeant, serving in the 8th Infantry Brigade, Headquarters.
Embarking, on 10 November 1915, from Melbourne on board HMAT A11 Ascanius, Sergeant William Marchbank, was promoted Lieutenant in 32nd Battalion. Serving on the Western Front, as well as France, was wounded prior to returning to Australia on 3 July 1919.
Resuming Victoria Police duties, William Marcbank, resumed his Beechworth police duties. served at Bairnsdale 1922, as well as Melbourne, during the November 1923 period of police and public unrest, resulting in the discharge of 660 policemen.
Promoted to Senior Constable, Bill Marchbank, in 1928 took charge of the Footscray police station bicycle patrol [1931], as well as prosecution duties at the Court [1932] prior to taking charge of the Alexandra police station from 1933 to 1938. Returning to Melbourne, due to ill-health, Yarragon, Victoria born William Marchbank served in the Alien Registration Branch, Russell Street.
Collapsing at his 6 Grosvenor Parade, Balwyn home, 54 years-of-age, Senior Constable William Marchbank, died in the Police Hospital, Melbourne, the same day, Saturday 19 July 1941, shortly following his return from duty.
Serving the community for 30 years, Bill Marchbank married, in 1919, Miss Emma Theresa McMaster [1889-1955], of Beechworth, who survived him, also his Bairnsdale Victoria born children, daughter, Valda May [1921-, as well as son, James [1923-.
Tendered a police funeral, Victoria Police Veteran, Senior Constable William ‘Bill’ Marchbank 5402, rests in eternal peace at Fawkner Memorial Park, Fawkner, Victoria, plot Presbyterian E, Grave 1731.