BLAY, William
| Service Number: | 5047 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 December 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Adelaide, South Australia, 18 August 1875 |
| Home Town: | Hackney, Norwood Payneham St Peters, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Boiler Maker's Assistant |
| Died: | Adelaide, South Australia, 21 April 1946, aged 70 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) Kendrew Oval Row Number: 21 Site Number: 5 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide South Australian Railways WW1 & WW2 Honour Boards |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 5047, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Shropshire embarkation_ship_number: A9 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 5047, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Shropshire, Adelaide |
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Full name: William James Walsh BLAY
Biography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
William Blay was born in Adelaide, South Australia, on 18 August 1875. He grew up in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide and later lived in Hackney. Before he enlisted William worked as a boiler maker’s assistant.
December 18th 1915, William enlisted at 41 years of age. His wife Minnie was listed as his next of kin. On 25 March 1916, William embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT Shropshire. He became unwell during the journey and spent time in hospital in Delhi India, discharged 5th July 1916. He was then transported to England to base at Perham Downs. He proceeded to France 15th August 1916 and was taken on strength with the 10th Battalion. A couple of months later he was hospitalised with scabies for 3 days.
In December 1916 William was admitted to hospital for a carbuncle of left arm and was transported to the Aust. Hospital Dartford for treatment, before relocation to London General Hospital, Wandsworth. He recovered and in May 1917 he proceeded overseas to France.
William returned to Adelaide on 8th April 1919. He was discharged 22nd June 1919.
William died 21 April 1946, at the age of 70. He was buried in West Terrace Cemetery
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