Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William was the oldest son and second eldest of 8 children by his father’s first marriage. He had one half-sister when he enlisted. His father and step mother went on to have another 6 children (15 in all).

Occupation on enlistment: Blacksmith, Farrier

Enlisted 10th September 1914 at Yarrawonga Victoria. Rank: Sh Smith. Unit: 8th Australian Light Horse, B Sqdr. Service: Army. Service No: 228. He served at Anzac Cove Gallipoli with the third and on 27th June 1915 he sustained face and eye injuries as well as shell shock. He was shipped out and taken to a Hospital on the outskirts of Cairo Egypt where he eventually recuperated and re-joined his 8th Light Horse Regiment at Heliopolis on 30th October 1915. They all underwent further training and patrols and outpost duties.

The Turks were preparing a second attack on the Canal along the Sinai Peninsula and the Light Horse Brigades were sent there to prevent them from taking control. On 29th February 1916 they were marched out to Serapeum to join with other Light Horse Regiments. The fighting was ongoing for many months and quite fierce and the losses were heavy on both sides. William was killed on 7th August 1816 and was buried on the battlefield along with his other fallen mates.
In the end after his death the Australians defeated the Turks :

Two weeks later there was an almost identical attack at Rafa. Again, near sunset, the retreat to water was ordered.

Again, the order was ignored and a final bayonet charge won the battle.

Observers noted a remarkable thing. As the final charge of fiercely yelling troopers was almost on top of the trenches, the Turks dropped their guns and surrendered. It seemed too late to stop the apparently crazed Australians.

But the lighthorsemen jumped down into the trenches and shook hands with the startled Turks
.
They were delighted not to have to kill the enemy they had learned to respect at Anzac”.

Source: Family member Jennifer Hibbens