Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of William TEMBY and Katherine Hamlin Elizabeth nee BURNARD

The Story of Corporal William Temby

Born on 1 March 1899 at Paddy's Station near Two Wells, South Australia, William Temby was raised in the rural districts of Mallala, where life was shaped by hard work, community, and the land. The son of William Temby and Katherine Hamlin Elizabeth Burnard, he grew up in a farming family, grounded in the rhythms of the northern Adelaide Plains.

In August 1917, at just 18 years of age, William enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Adelaide. Like many young men of his generation, he stepped forward to serve, leaving behind his home, his family, and the life he had known.

In March 1918, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Runic, bound for the war overseas. His journey would take him far from the fields of South Australia to the training camps of England and the battlefields of France.

Service was not without hardship. In 1918, William was struck down with influenza, one of the many illnesses that swept through the ranks during the war. He recovered and returned to duty, continuing his service with the 48th Battalion. Through perseverance and reliability, he rose to the rank of Corporal.

But the strain of war took its toll.

In early 1919, William was admitted to hospital in England, suffering from albuminuria—a serious condition affecting the kidneys. Though he had endured illness before and returned to the line, this time his body could no longer withstand the demands of service.

He was declared unfit for further duty.

In June 1919, William was returned to Australia aboard the troopship Ormonde, invalided home after months of service, illness, and recovery. He had given what he could, and like many others, he carried the effects of war back with him.

He was formally discharged later that year, his military service complete.

William returned not as the boy who had left, but as a young man shaped by war—by distance, hardship, and endurance. In time, he rebuilt his life. In 1937, he married Gwendoline Gladys Koch at St Peter's Cathedral in Adelaide, and together they made their home in the eastern suburbs of the city.

He lived a long life, passing away on 15 October 1978 at the age of 79.

He served. He endured. He returned.

Lest We Forget

 

By Trevor Pyatt 23/04/2026

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William Temby

1 March 1899 – 15 October 1978

Corporal, 48th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (WWI)

Interred at Centennial Park Cemetery

Early Life and Family

William Temby was born on 1 March 1899 at Paddy's Station, near Two Wells in the Port Gawler district of South Australia. He was the son of William Temby and Katherine Hamlin Elizabeth Burnard, and was raised in the rural farming community of Mallala on the northern Adelaide Plains.

He received his education at Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, an indication of a family that valued education despite their agricultural background. Prior to enlistment, William worked as a farmer, continuing the traditions of rural life.

World War I Service

William enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 29 August 1917 at Adelaide, aged 18 years and 6 months.

Service Number: 3946
Unit: 48th Infantry Battalion, 11th Reinforcement
Rank on Enlistment: Private
Final Rank: Corporal
Religion: Methodist
Next of Kin: Mother – Katherine E. H. Temby
His attestation papers describe him as 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a fair complexion, brown eyes, and dark brown hair.

Deployment and Service Abroad

William embarked from Sydney on 22 March 1918 aboard HMAT Runic (A54). He was posted to the 48th Battalion and served in both England and France during the final stages of the war.

During his service, he experienced significant illness:

May 1918: Admitted to hospital with influenza, a common but serious condition among troops during the war
1918–1919: Treated and transferred between military hospitals in England
Despite this, he recovered sufficiently to return to duty and continued serving with his unit in France, where he was later promoted to the rank of Corporal.

Illness and Return to Australia

In early 1919, William was again hospitalised, this time suffering from albuminuria, a condition indicating kidney dysfunction.

His condition was deemed serious enough that he was:

Invalided to Australia

He returned aboard the troopship Ormonde, arriving back in Australia on 16 June 1919.

He was formally discharged from the AIF on 15 October 1919, bringing his military service to an end.

Disciplinary Note

His service record includes a minor disciplinary entry:

June 1919: Absent Without Leave (AWL)
Outcome: Admonished; forfeiture of six days' pay
Such infractions were not uncommon among soldiers during periods of illness, recovery, and demobilisation.

Medals

William was awarded:

1914–15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
His service is also commemorated on several honour rolls, including those at Dublin, Mallala, and Two Wells, reflecting his strong ties to the local community.

Later Life

After returning from the war, William resumed civilian life in South Australia.

On 18 November 1937, he married Gwendoline Gladys Koch at St Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide. Their marriage united the Temby and Koch families, the latter of German-Australian heritage.

William later resided at 21 Hillside Road, Springfield, an eastern suburb of Adelaide.

He passed away at his home on 15 October 1978, aged 79.

Burial

William was interred at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia. His wife, Gwendoline, survived him and died in 1985.

Summary

William Temby's life reflects the experience of many young South Australians of his generation—raised in rural communities, called to serve in the Great War, and shaped by its hardships.

His story is marked not only by service, but by endurance: surviving illness, continuing his duty, and ultimately returning home after being medically discharged. He lived a long life thereafter, carrying with him the legacy of his wartime experience.

Sources & Evidence

Civil Records

South Australian Birth Index – William Temby, 1 March 1899 (Book/Page 636/338)
South Australian Marriage Index – Temby–Koch, 18 November 1937 (383/4506)
South Australian Death Index – William Temby, 15 October 1978 (420A/7778)

Military Records (Primary Sources)

National Archives of Australia (NAA):
Service File: TEMBY William – B2455
Attestation Papers (1917)
Service & Casualty Forms
Medical Examination Reports
Embarkation Details (HMAT Runic, 22 March 1918)
Return to Australia (HMAT Ormonde, June 1919)
Discharge Record (15 October 1919)
Australian War Memorial (AWM):
Embarkation Roll (48th Battalion, Reinforcements)
Nominal Roll

Cemetery Records

Centennial Park Cemetery Records – William Temby (1978)

Community & Honour Rolls

Dublin Lower Light Methodist Honour Roll
Dublin War Memorial
Mallala District of Grace WWI Roll of Honour
Mallala Public School Roll of Honour
Mallala Two Wells Pictorial Honour Roll
Torrens Park Kyre (Scotch College) Great War Honour Roll
Two Wells WWI Memorial

"He served. He endured. He returned."

Lest We Forget

 

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 23/04/2026