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. His reason for wanting to go to war was to serve and protect his country. This would have been similar to many other who signed up. Another reason he may have wanted to sign up might have been to do with his father. His father was a military man so William may have wanted to do something his father did. When he signed up, he left all his belongings and financial possessions to his sisters in his will.

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, Secangbee 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. William’s battalion continued to fight throughout the war in the following battles after Gallipoli- Albany, Pozieres, Somme Valley and the Western Front.

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.

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and the qualities of an ANZAC are endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship shown by the soldiers. The ANZAC spirit is a way of life and an ideal on how they went about things. The qualities ANZAC soldiers shared were admired by others, as they did not take anything too seriously. They fought with honour and were proud to fight for their country. They were down to earth and made the place a slightly more enjoyable. However, sometimes they did not agree with  their British officers but still fought with courage and bravery. Scollin went through an experience that showed great strength and ANZAC spirit. This occurred at the landing of Gallipoli. Scollin’s boat was one of the first boats to arrive when they were under fire from the Turkish forces. Someone without ANZAC spirit would not have left the boat knowing he was likely to die. Scollin, with this fellow soldiers ran out of the boat, sacrificing their lives for the country. Sadly, he was one of many who did not survive. The spirit of an ANZAC has made a big impact to the society today. The qualities found an ANZAC are now qualities commonly found or wanted in any Australian today, as the impact they made and how they went about it is admired to this day.

Bibliography

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