Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of the late John and Francis Alice McEWAN, 74 Mowbray Street, Albert Park, Vic.

William served in France and was wounded at the Battle of Pozieres  5th May 1916

Admitted to No 1 Auxillary Hospital Harfield, Middlesex England with GSW to the chest and both arms 24 August 1916 - two fragments entered his back, one on each side & there was considerable loss of breath and blood spitting, resulting with some shortness of breath, cough and pains in the chest.

In October 1916 he was AWOL and received 7 days foreit of pay.

He returned to Australia per 'Ajana' 26 January 1917 and was discharged from the army - he suffered residual effects from the wounds.

Reports of his death in the newspaper in November 1923 are as follows - MELBOURNE, Friday - William McEwan a married man, of Moore Street, Fitzroy, walked into the bar of a hotel in Brunswick Street Fitzroy, and said to the barman "Give me a pint of poison and lend me a bob".  When his unusal request was refused, he said "Well give me a Carlton, and don't forget the bob."  He was served with beer, which he drank and left the bar.  In the street McEwan drank some poison, and staggered into the hotel yard, where he died. Constable Hehir and Holian, of Fitzroy were summoned, and removed the man to the Melbourne Hospital, where on examination, he was found to be dead.  McEwan was stated at the morgue to have been a returned soldier.  He had suffered from chest complaints since his return from the war.   The city coroner (Mr. Berriman) found that death was due to suicide.

William is buried in the Brighton General Cemetery in an unmarked grave.