Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Edward Scollin

William was born in 1887 in New South Wales. He grew up with both his parents and his two sisters. Sadly both his parents died before he signed up for the war. He had a dark complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair and stood at 5ft 10. He was a student at Saint Aloysius College and involved himself in many sports but was most remembered for his ability in Rugby Union. His religion was Catholic and he attended Surry Hill church. Before signing up, he worked as a hotel broker in his twenties and was single. He signed up at Rosebery Park, New South Wales 14/9/1914. .

William did not take much with him to war. All he took a disc, armlet, testament (mini bible), pipe, pen, penknife, medallion, wallet and letters. He was enlisted into the 13th Battalion and travelled by sea on the Ulysses. William trained in Egypt (Alexandra and Cairo) with his battalion. The conditions at the training camp were hot and dry as the camp was located in Egypt. The camp was used to prepare soldiers for the conditions they would fight in at Gallipoli. Both camps were a popular training area where England and New Zealand’s troops also trained. William travelled on three sperate boats, H.M.A.T Ascot, Seeangbee and one more that is unknown. Into battle he carried a fixed bayonet and a lee-Enfield riffle. On 2/5/1915 William was shot in the head and died on the shores of Gallipoli. 

Williams body was buried at sea with all the other soldiers who died that day. The only things recovered from his body was his pipe and pen. Scollin’s family received 3 medals on his behalf after his involvement and achievements from the war. The first medal was the British War medal, this was awarded to soldiers who fought with or apart of the British Navy, Army and Mercantile Marine during World War 1. The second medal was the Victory medal, this was given to all soldiers that were on the “winning” side as a token of the victory. The final medal is the Commonwealth Star medal, this was awarded to Australians who fought for their country during the war., and had enlisted in 1914 or 1915. William is commemorated at Lone Pine Cemetery and the Australian War Memorial.

Bibliography

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