Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

McGlashan, William Brown was born in Troon, Ayrshire Scotland on the 9th of March 1899. His father, Hugh, had worked in a shipyard as a boilermaker. In 1912, the family emigrated to Fremantle. Hugh and his sons James and William arrived in Fremantle on the 1st  of February 1912, then his mother Margaret and her youngest three sons (Hugh, John and Adam) arrived in Fremantle on 11 June 1913. Hugh continued to work as a boilermaker, and they lived at 150 Sewell St East Fremantle. When he enlisted at Perth on the 26.4.17, William had 18 months’ previous service with the CMF and had been an apprentice at the State Implement Works for 2 years. William was aged 19 years 2 months, a farm hand and his denomination was Church of England. He was described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a chest measurement of 31½ - 34½ inches, sallow complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. When he joined at Blackboy Hill on the 3.5.17, he was appointed Sapper with Service number 4366. He embarked on HMAT Seneas at Melbourne on the 30.10.17 and from the 27.12.17 until 1.4.18, he served in England. William served with the 2nd Pioneer Battalion and the 32nd Battalion. Having gone AWL for 4 days, he was awarded 5 days FP number 2 and forfeited 8 days’ pay. He proceeded to France to reinforce the 48th Battalion. On 5.7.19 he was detached to the AIF Graves Registration. From 26th September 1919 he spent 35 days being treated for VD. William returned to Australia on the Pakeha from Southampton on the 6.10.19. He was discharged on the 16.12.19.

The whole family was involved in Fremantle sports – soccer, football and cricket. In 1921, James and Adam were playing for the Presbyterian Church Association. William enlisted in World War 2 at Mullewa on the 12.1.1942, aged 42. His Service Number was W42791. He was a farm hand, and his Next of Kin was his father, Hugh McGlashan of Holland St Fremantle. William was appointed on the 6.2.42 to unit 19 Green Battalion D Company to serve in Geraldton in the Volunteer Defence Corps. He was discharged on the 31.1.44 in Claremont.

William is listed on the electoral roll in 1943 and 1949 as living at Menang, Mullewa and working as a farm labourer. In 1963, a letter addressed to him at the Mullewa Post Office was returned to the Army unclaimed. He was living at 123 Rokeby Rd Subiaco when he died on the 3.10.1964, aged 67. William’s ashes were placed in the family grave at Fremantle Cemetery, Presbyterian Monumental section EE, site 0239.