SELKIRK, William James
| Service Number: | 410 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 April 1915, Lismore, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 26th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Broadwater, New South Wales, Australia, 27 November 1891 |
| Home Town: | Broadwater, Richmond Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Natural causes, Casino, New South Wales, Australia, 8 July 1961, aged 69 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Broadwater Public School Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Apr 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 410, Lismore, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 May 1915: | Involvement Private, 410, 26th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 24 May 1915: | Embarked Private, 410, 26th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Brisbane | |
| 5 Aug 1915: | Honoured Military Medal, Battle for Pozières , 'he collected and took charge of a considerable number of men in his vicinity and did excellent work in consolidating and retaining his position in the captured trenches' | |
| 4 Sep 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 410, 26th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 6 Sep 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 26th Infantry Battalion | |
| 6 Dec 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 26th Infantry Battalion | |
| 26 Mar 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 410, 26th Infantry Battalion, The Outpost Villages - German Withdrawal to Hindenburg Line, GSW (left forearm, severe) | |
| 29 May 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 410, 26th Infantry Battalion, Medically discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Paul Trevor
'BROADWATER SOLDIERS.
Sergt. W. J. Selkirk, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Selkirk, of Broadwater, and a brother of Mrs. F. McDonough and Mr. Jack Selkirk, of Coraki, arrived home on the river on the 20th April, three years from the date that he went into camp at Enoggera, where he, Pte. Roy Bolton and Alec McDonald, all Broadwater boys, joined the 26th Battalion (the dinkum diamonds), and left for active service on the 24th May, 1915, only being a month in camp. Sergt. Selkirk and Pte. Bolton left Egypt for Gallipoli in September, the former being there at the evacuation, but the latter was invalided to Egypt through sickness early in December.
They were among the first to leave Egypt for France in March, 1916, where Sergt. Selkirk won the M.M. for conspicuous bravery. Pte. Bolton was taken prisoner at the battle of Pozieres, and died in Kessengrew Camp in Germany on the 29th July. They were comrades to the last, and their tent mates and officers were the same as when they left Australia up to that fatal battle at Pozieres on the 29th July, 1916. Sergt. Selkirk was severely wounded in the arm early in 1917, his prayer book and whistle being the means of saving his life. He was also present at Pte. Hector McKinnon's wedding at Portland, England, another Broadwater boy, who arrived home three weeks previously with a crippled arm. Their many friends will be pleased to know of their safe return to their homes and native land.' from Northern Star 20 May 1918 (nla.gov.au)
'MEDALS FOR SOLDIERS.
MILITARY MEDAL.
No. 410, Sergeant William James Selkirk, 26th Infantry Battalion— He enlisted at Brisbane on April 20, 1915, and embarked for active service with the 26th Infantry Battalion on May 24, 1915. Was reported wounded and severely wounded respectively. Was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field at Pozieres on August 4, 1916. Returned to Australia on April 18, 1918, and was discharged as the result of gunshot wounds, on May 29, 1918.' from Daily Standard 22 Jul 1918 (nla.gov.au)
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