MEAD, William John
| Service Number: | 27008 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 October 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 4th Division Supply Column |
| Born: | Maryborough, Victoria, Australia, 17 May 1892 |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Motor Mechanic |
| Died: | 21 January 1982, aged 89 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Fremantle Cemetery, Western Australia Ashes Placed in the Dewar family Grave Fremantle Presbyterian EE 0432 |
| Memorials: | Fremantle Scots Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Oct 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 27008 | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Gunner, 25th Field Artillery Brigade, Howitzer | |
| 7 Sep 1916: | Involvement Gunner, 27008, 25th Field Artillery (Howitzer) Brigade, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Sydney embarkation_ship_number: A15 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Sep 1916: | Embarked Gunner, 27008, 25th Field Artillery (Howitzer) Brigade, HMAT Port Sydney, melbourne | |
| 4 Jun 1919: | Transferred AIF WW1, Corporal, 4th Division Supply Column | |
| 13 Oct 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Corporal, 27008, returned to Australia from Takada, Italy on 18.7.1919 |
World War 2 Service
| 17 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , At Swanbourne Fort, VDC from Sept 1940 to April 1941. KPS at Northam January 1942 | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Oct 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Appointed Lieutenant 31.7.1942 and Captain with 3rd WA Battalion VDC on 15.2.1944. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Helen Harmer
William John Mead was born in Maryborough Victoria on the 17 May 1892. He was a motor mechanic and Presbyterian. William enlisted at Perth on the 18.10.15, aged 23 years 5 months. He is described as being 5 feet 7½ inches tall, with a chest measurement of 33 – 37 inches, sallow complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. Next of kin was his wife Elizabeth Shields Mead, née Dewar. She was living at 111 Forrest St Fremantle with her mother. (Same address for John & Robert Dewar & Alexander McDuff). Initially a Private with the service number 27008, he was appointed a Gunner with the Artillery reinforcements on the 6.3.16 and to the 25th Howitzer Brigade on 4.8.16. William embarked on the “Port Sydney” in Melbourne on the 7.9.16. After a stint in hospital in England, he proceeded to France on the 28.2.17 and was appointed Driver to complete establishment on 27.5.17. He was transferred to the 4th Division MT Company, supply column on the 28.10.17. William was promoted to Temporary Corporal on the 6.3.19 and the position was confirmed on the 4.6.19. He returned to Australia from Takada, Italy on the 18.7.19 and was discharged on 13.10.19. William and Elizabeth lived in Stock Rd, Melville and they had two daughters. In 1938, he was driving a motor bike with side car when he was involved in an accident in Mosman Park.
William served again during World War 2. He enlisted on the 17.3.1942 at Claremont, aged 48 and served in Perth Battalion VDC. He was a Shipping Supervising Clerk living in Harvey St, Mosman Park. His next of Kin was his wife, Elizabeth Shields Mead. His medical report noted an old injury from 1938 on his right foot.
William served with the Artillery at Swanbourne Fort as a member of VDC from Sept 1940 to April 1941. He attended KPS at Northam from 18 – 29.1.1942 then was acting OC D Company. He was appointed Lieutenant on the 31.7.42. After a course of instruction at 3 AG School Harvey, from the 27.12.43, he rejoined his unit on the 14.1.44.
He was appointed Captain and on the 15.2.44 transferred to 3 WA Battalion VDC. His secondment ceased on the 15.10.1945 and he was placed on RL VDC W Comd the next day. In a 1955 letter about his eligibility for medals, he mentioned serving at the Anti-aircraft battery at Buckland Hill, attending several schools of instruction at Northam, Harvey and Buckland Hill and several weekend and night exercises. Alexander Marr served with him.
William died on the 21.1.1982 aged 88 and his ashes were placed in the family grave, Fremantle Presbyterian EE 0432 (with John Dewar). Elizabeth died on the 22.4.1978 aged 88 and her ashes were also placed there.
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