Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Francis 1898-1917, second son of Michael and Margaret Byrne nee Finneran of Elphin, Temora NSW. William attended the Convent School in Temora along with his brothers and sisters. At the outbreak of the war, he was working as a labourer in Cootamundra. He enlisted in the 1st Australian Infantry Battalion, 19th Reinforcements (A.I.F.) in Marcch 1916 and went to Liverpool, Sydney for further training. In August of that year he embarked on H.M.A.T. Wilshire and arrived in Plymouth in the October.

The Attestation Papers of Private W. F. Byrne, service number 5980, states that he was 18 years and three months old, a natural born British Subject, labourer and his next of kin was his mother Mrs Margaret Byrne of Temora, he had not been convicted by a Civil Power and had not been rejected for Military Service. In fact, William was five foot seven and a half inches tall anf weighed 147 lbs. A fair young fit lad of Irish decent and a Roman Catholic. The service records does not give very much details about where he was in England however it is recorded that on 13/12/1916 he proceeds overseas to France from Folkstone per SS Arundle.The next entry is noted from Etaples where Pte Byrne is Charged: Out of Bounds and is awarded by the Officer Commanding the 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot, 14 days F.P. no 2 and is sent to detention . By early Feb 1917 Pte Byrne is march out to his unit.

In the April and May 1917, Australian soldiers took part in some of the bloodiest chapters of the war when they fought in two great battles near the town of Bullecourt. During the first disastrous battle, Australian and British Infantry were forced to attack without support after the tanks were lost or destroyed by German artillery. The Australians managed to break into the Hindenburg Line however they were over whelmed when the Germans counter attacked. The second battle was more successful, the cost however was enormous with more than 7000 Australians killed or wounded in two weeks. It was during this period that William died on or about 5-8th May 1917 at the Second Battle of Bullecourt, killed in action. William is buried in the Cemetery Villers- Bretonneau Memorial Department da La Somme, Picardie, France.

The next entries in the service records are from Margaret Byrne. Letters requesting information about his death, the whereabouts of his personnel effects, including a gold watch and of course his medals. As late as September 1929, Margaret writes asking for clarification on the distribution to the next of kin, of Memorial Plaques and Scrolls and the letter from the King. There is also a copy of his will "leaving all of my property both personal and reality to my mother", dated April 1917. At same stage, Margaret applies for a pension and in the July is granted 14/- per fortnight. About this time, there is a request to the Army Base Records for a Certificate of Death so that the transfer of property can occur and the finalisation of his Estate. The return reply requests the charge of 2/-6 for the costs of these documents. The worst of all is the conformation notice of the death of Pte W. F. Byrne, sern 5980, 1st Australian Infantry Battalion, 19 Reinforcments. My Great Uncle.