Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William was born in Adelaide in 1893 one of seven children born to George Sauders and Margaret Slocombe (nee Slaven) who had married by licence in April 1885. George was the youngest son of William Slocombe, who had emigrated from Devonshire. He worked as a carpenter and was a valued member of the Star of the South, Lodge of Druids based in Mount Barker.
William was just a year old when his 36-year-old father tragically died in an horrific fall after losing his grip on a ladder as he was examining a leaking air pipe joint in a mine shaft at Clarendon. George initially fell onto a platform 15 feet down, before then continuing to fall 100 feet to the bottom of the shaft. The family was devastated.
Highly respected, George’s cortege consisted of 63 members of the Mount Barker Star of the South Lodge of Druids, marched in procession from the house to the grave, and the coffin was followed by 27 vehicles and a long array of horsemen. The local community immediately established a subscription list to support the widow and six children.
Tragedy again rocked the young family just eight years after their father’s death. Their 43-year-old mother, Margaret (then Caughlin) died in the Adelaide Hospital in July 1903. The children became orphans with Olive, the oldest daughter, taking on the role of next of kin. She married Sydney Young in January 1909.
William moved to live at Peterborough (then called Petersburg), a thriving railway hub town in the mid-north of South Australia where he worked as a cleaner with the Railways and played football for the local Burg team. He joined the cadets which, in mid-December 1909 held an Annual Rifle Senior Cadet Match, organised throughout the Commonwealth for gold and silver medals. Conditions were strict, including 10 shots no sighters, at 200 and 500 yards, off the rifle, without any artificial aids. Cadet Slocombe, in a highly creditable performance, achieved the top score with 84 of a possible 100. (The second placegetter scored 69.) The 500-yard shooting was against a strong-front left wind, and through the V sight, conditions which were too difficult to allow for windage and elevation. William scored 41 and 43 respectively winning the gold medal.
He later moved to Pirie, where he continued to play football, initially for Railway, where he was vice captain and served on the management Committee. He was a reliable player in the forward lines, often being named in the best players. Later, William played for Solomontown in 1914, winning the Premiership. An active sportsman, William was also a useful cricket player for Pirie South proving to be valuable with both the bat and bowling. He added basketball to his repertoire, playing for Solomontown. While in Pirie, William became close friends with the Willoughby family, including Mary Ann.
With the War to End All Wars declared, three of the Slocombe brothers enlisted. The first was 30-year-old Robert James, who had been working at Broken Hill and enlisted on September ’14 as 1329 in the 16th Battalion. He nominated his sister Olive as his next of kin He nominated his sister Olive as his next of kin.
20-year-old Albert, a locomotive Fireman, was the next brother to enlist in March ’15 as 1570 in the 27th Battalion. Less than two months afterwards, Robert, a Lance Corporal was killed in action on the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 2nd May 1915 at Gallipoli. In the frenetic fighting Robert was initially listed as ‘missing’ and his grave never found. He had arrived at the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 12th April. In under three weeks, he was killed in action on the 2nd May 1915 at Dead Man’s Ridge, Gallipoli. His body was never recovered. He is now remembered at the Lone Pine Memorial.
The close-knit family was devastated to learn of Robert’s death, placing a tribute to him in the Advertiser, Tuesday 23 May 1916, SLOCOMBE.-On the 2nd May. 1915, at Gallipoli, Lance-Corporal Robert J. Slocombe, late of Broken Hill, aged 30 years; killed in action; previously reported missing. Dearly loved brother of Mrs. S H. Young, Welland; Mrs. Leslie Green, England; Julia Cockburn; Sylvester, India; and Privates William and Albert (A.I.F., France). "His body lies in foreign soil, His soul is home with God."
Advertiser Wednesday 2 May 1917, SLOCOMBE.—Honoured and loved ever will be the memory of our dear brother, Robert J. Slocombe, late 16th Battalion, who gave his life for us at Gallipoli, May 2, 1915 (late of Broken Hill). Peacefully sleeping, Where tears are never shed, Where no good-byes are said, Where grief and pain and care are felt no more. —Inserted by his sisters and brothers (on active service).

22-year-old William George was the third brother to enlist four months after George, in July ’15 as 2791, serving in the 10th Infantry Battalion. Initially he nominated his Pirie friend, Joseph Willoughby as his next of kin. (Joseph’s sister, Mary Ann was later to feature in William’s life.) He later changed his details to his older sister, Olive Young of Welland. Having played football for the Petersburg Club, a farewell was organised for the four players, Ivo Thompson, Harold Taylor Roy Platten and William, with the Mayor wishing the boys every success and a safe return.
By August ’16 while in France, William quickly rose through the ranks to Lance Corporal but gave little information about his heroism in a letter home to his married sister, Olive at Welland The letter was signed from Pte. W. G. Slocombe (formerly of Petersburg and Port Pirie) He wrote;
"We Hopped Over."
"I have just come through the biggest and stiffest. battle ever Australians have been in—the battle of Pozieres," "It was a terrible battle, but I dodged through it somehow. I don't know how. We hopped over on Sunday, July 23, at half past 12 in the morning, taking two trenches and a village (Pozieres). Taking these things is the easiest part of the job. The holding is the thing. Fritz simply shelled us to pieces, and it was grim determination only that won us the scrap. The worst came early on Tuesday morning, when Fritz counter-attacked. It was hell let loose. We had to fight like tigers for five hours with bombs, and you never saw such sights in your life. Our chaps stood out in the open, fighting the enemy in a trench. It was a great sight, but I do not want to see it again. A Tommy officer said he had seen bomb fights before but never was such a battle fought before like ours. Our wounded were brave men —helpless themselves, they kept out of the way and suffered agony to see the fight and urge the others on and make way for men carrying up ammunition. The old brigade was grand. It stood the test well for three days and three nights of the worst fight since the "big push," as it is called. We lost a good few men but won the battle and honour for Australia. You can read in the papers about the scrap and judge for yourself. Never be ashamed of being an Australian. They will do me as men and soldiers, and the country is one to be proud of. France is a lovely country, but so is Australia.”

Two months later, William was promoted to Corporal. Wounded in November, with a bruised back sustained in the field, on his return William was promoted to sergeant at the end of that month. Following the wounding and subsequent death of his superior, William was then again promoted to the rank of Company Sergeant Major in May ’17. That year he was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s dispatch for gallant service and devotion to duty. He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre, an award for bravery and presented to military personnel who were mentioned in dispatches.
‘During the whole period the battalion has been in France, from April 1916 this warrant Officer has consistently shown exceptional personal bravery and devotion to duty, both in training and in action. He has been mentioned in Despatches for gallantry 26/2/17 and 20/9/17. His influence in the Battalion is I the highest degree beneficial to the Battalion 18th September 1918’

With the war over, William was safely discharged in May ’19. He headed to Pirie West to visit the Willoughby family. A huge welcome was organised at Solomontown, with the men taken in cars to the Institute where the Mayor, representatives of the Anzac Hospitality Fund, school children and band assembled. The Pirie Branch of the Locomotive Employees' Association gave a ball in the Town Hall in October to welcome those who had recently returned from active service.
Just a year later, William married Mary Ann Willoughby on the 5th May in St Paul’s Church at Port Pirie.
A special Christmas gift arrived in December ’21 with the birth f their first daughter, Lola Margaret. Heather, Patricia and William arrived in subsequent years.

Post war, William lived at Tailem Bend where initially in 1923 he was a highly respected bootmaker and had become part of a group of varied professionals who formed and registered a new company, the Tailem Bend Racing Club offering shares at £1 each. He was a long serving Chairman of that Club and continued his skills in rifle shooting, Captaining the Tailem Bend Rifle Club. William also expanded his business holdings with the Gladstone Hotel which he updated and expanded over several years before selling it. He was also president of the local Tailem bend R.S.L. for many years.
In a further devastating blow, William’s brother 48-year-old Albert, a hero of the War awarded the Military Medal, was killed on the 22nd August ’44. He sustained a fatal skull fracture when his horse-drawn sulky and a truck collided two miles out from Barmera on the road to Berri.
Of particular pride for the family and William in particular, was when his son, Lieut. W. J. Slocombe, a Duntroon trainee, headed to England to undertake a 2½-year flying course in August ’49. In December ’51 William Jnr met his bride at an Air Force station a dance where he was learning to fly. The young couple sailed for Australia to make their home in Canberra.
Born 1874? Died 10th Nov ’64 aged 90 Frederickton Cemetery
William died on the 29th October 1973 and was cremated at the Centennial Park Cemetery. Mary Ann lived to be 89 and died on the 5th May 1984. She now also rests in the Harmony Section at Centennial Park Wall 97, Plot E010.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.