HOGAN, William Patrick
| Service Number: | 90 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 January 1916, at Adelaide |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Port Adelaide, South Australia, July 1879 |
| Home Town: | Alberton, Port Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | South Australia, 23 March 1949, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Ottoway Congregational Church Heroes of the Great War Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 90, 43rd Infantry Battalion, at Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 90, 43rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 90, 43rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| 17 Sep 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, On the night of 25th/26th June, 1917, in the trenches east of MESSINES, this N.C.O., had charge of 25 other ranks, carrying ammunition to a forward Battalion dump. This party was subjected to very heavy H.E. and shrapnel fire while proceeding along the road. Sergeant HOGAN showed great coolness and leadership in reorganising his party which had become scattered, and cheering them on; led the whole party through the shelled area without a casualty. Again on the night of 26th/27th June, 1917, in the trenches east of MESSINES, this N.C.O. was one of a party engaged in digging a new support line, and although subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the night he set a splendid example of devotion to duty by energetically urging on his men. Also on the night of 1st/2nd July, 1917, in the trenches east of MESSINES, whilst assisting with a wiring party in front of our line, he again set a splendid example of coolness and bravery to the men by the energetic and cheering manner in which he helped to superintend the work, although exposed to, and under close observation of the enemy, who were in shell holes within 100 yards, and were continually sniping at the party. This N.C.O. also did conspicuously good work on other carrying and working parties during the term in the trenches between 22nd June, 1917, and 11th July, 1917, and throughout the period was a splendid example to the men of devotion to duty coolness and bravery under most adverse circumstances and under very heavy shell fire. | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Sergeant, 90, 43rd Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Saint Ignatius' College
William Patrick Hogan was 36 years old at the time of his enlistment date of 1916. From this, it is estimated William Patrick Hogan was born in July 1879 and raised in Port Adelaide, South Australia. Hogan was born with blue eyes and brown hair. At the age of 36, William Patrick Hogan was married to Frances Maria Hogan and worked as a labourer in Alberton, South Australia. This year was when Hogan first enlisted to join the AIF on the 19th of January 1916. Hogan was assigned to the 43rd Battalion and given the service number of 90.
William Patrick Hogan was an average build, weighing in at 128ibs, having a height of 5’7 and a chest measurement of 33 and a half inches. This was relatively average for most men between the ages of 20 – 40 years during the period of World War 1.
During 1916 Hogan, along with the 43rd battalion travelled to Egypt and then to the U.K where training was held for the soldiers. Later during the year 1916, Hogan travelled to France with the 43rd battalion.
After a long month, the 43rd battalion moved to the western front in France where they were situated for trench warfare for the first few months during 1917. During the trench warfare, the 43rd Battalion suffered many casualties. During this period Hogan was repeatedly promoted, reaching the rank of Sergeant in early June.
In June 1917 Hogan and the battalion took part in the battle of Messines. As a result of repeated brave actions in the line in late June and early July Hogan received the Military Medal. In early 1918, Hogan spent several weeks in England attached to training units. He rejoined the 43rd Battalion in early April.
In April 1918 Hogan led his squad as a sergeant into battle. They managed to help stop the German soldiers' attack at Villers-Bretonneux. However, in the process, William Hogan was injured in action by gas and sent to the hospital on the 25th of May. Only two months on the 14th of July Hogan re-joined the 43rd battalion.
On the 23rd of July, William Hogan was sent back to the hospital from sickness; he was still suffering from the effects of gas. Hogan remained under hospital bed rest throughout the rest of July and the beginning of August. It was during this time that the 43rd battalion joined the advance that followed the 2nd Division’s victory at Mont St Quentin. The 43rd battalion and 2nd Division engaged in war at the western front. Sadly, Hogan was not able to lead his soldiers into battle due to his sickness.
Finally, at 11 am on the 11th of November 1918, all went silent and the Western Front. Treaties and documents were signed officially marking the end of World War I. Hogan recovered and returned to Australia with the 43rd battalion during December and early 1919. Hogan was officially discharged from war and returned home to his wife in Port Adelaide, South Australia
William Patrick Hogan proceeded to live his life in Australia as a labourer with his wife, Frances Maria Hogan. Sadly, on the 23rd of March 1949, William Patrick Hogan passed away. His name is printed on the memorial of the Ottoway Congregational Church Heroes of the Great War Honour Roll.
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