Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Private William Ambrose Mackey, 1st Depot Battalion, of Rhyndaston Tasmania. William Mackey enlisted on 2 May 1916 and died of cerebro-spinal meningitis at Hobart General Hospital on 26 June 1916. He was 32 years of age. His mother wrote to Base Records and stated his father was deceased about 12 years and she was a 79-year-old widower.

Pte Mackey's brother 3147 Pte Francis Joseph Mackey, 40th Battalion, was killed in action in Belgium on 5 October 1917, aged 37.

The Hobart Mercury reported “Our Rhyndaston correspondent writes ‘Amongst the latest additions to the Roll of Honour from here is noticed the name of Private William Ambrose Mackey, of Rhyndaston, who succumbed to meningitis after four days' illness. This sudden ending of a life so promising, and on the eve of his promotion in the tanks, came as a great shock to his relatives and numerous friends. To all who know Private Mackey personally it will seem superfluous to yield anything further regarding his sterling personal qualities. No less in the sporting world will Private Mackey be missed. As an all-round cricketer his name figured prominently in local and district matches. The interment, with military honours, of his late remains in Colebrook cemetery was attended by a large concourse of people.”