Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Gould Harrington was born on the 21st of December 1891, in Prospect, South Australia to David Abraham Harrington and Edith Jane Harrington. He was the youngest son and grew up in a large household of ten siblings. He attended Nailsworth Primary School and later worked as a Clerk. One of his brothers Maxwell David Harrington also served and was killed at Gallipoli 29 August 1915.

 On July 1, 1915, Harrington enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) at age 22 years and 6 months. His standing height was 5 ft 8.75 inches and weighed 166 lbs. Attestation Papers state he had a fair complexion with blonde hair and blue eyes. On the 15th of August 1915, Harrington was sent to the 2nd Depot at Mitcham in preparation for the war. By March 16, 1916, he was transferred to 'A' Company of the 43rd battalion, progressing through ranks being promoted to Sergeant on March 27, 1916. He embarked from Adelaide on HMAT Afric 9th June 1916 for England.  He proceeded to France  from Southhampton arriving November 25, 1916.

 Harrington was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on February 15, 1917, followed by Lieutenant on June 20, 1917. He attended numerous training courses, including Army Gas School and Army Infantry School early in 1917. He rejoined the 43rd Battalion 10th June 1917. He was wounded in action 31st July 1917 with a gun shot wound to his left thigh and was treated in France admitted to the 4th Stationary Hospital 1st August 1917. He was then transferred to England to the Kitchern Hospital in Brighton arriving 3rd August 1917. He convalesced at Cobham Hall and then was discharged to depot at Perham Downs. He proceeded back to France 12th October to rejoin his unit in the field a couple of weeks later.

In the following year, 1918, Harrington's records state he was detached in January to a Flying School, then later he returned to the 43rd Battalion by February 1st. In April 1918, he was admitted and transferred to various hospitals in France due to diarrhoea. Again he returned to his unit 10th May 1918. He was selected for training as a pilot for the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) on September 9, 1918. Upon his graduation from the Flying School at Wendover, he was transferred from the 43rd Battalion to the AFC of March 14, 1919, gaining the rank 'Flight-Lieutenant' and the nickname "Snowy".

 Harrington's life post-war began with his marriage to Dulcie Maud Jones at All Saints Church, Fulham, London on 5 May 1919. On September 19, 1919, he and his wife embarked for Australian onboard the S.S Morea, and his military appointment was officially terminated on January 19, 1920. Harrington moved to Sydney, NSW and first lived at Milsons Point and later at Darlinghurst followed by Newport Beach. He and Dulcie had at least one son named Jeffery Gould Harrington. Unfortunately, Dr. Jeffery Harrington was killed in the crash of the Ansett-A.N. A Visckers Viscount airliner crash in Botany Bay Sydney. William Gould Harrington died a day before his 60th birthday on the 20th of December 1951 in New South Wales. His wife, Dulcie, passed away at the age of 101 in 1994.