William James Joseph PIPER MM

PIPER, William James Joseph

Service Numbers: 680, 680A
Enlisted: 22 September 1916
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 21st Infantry Battalion
Born: Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 1898
Home Town: Picola, Moira, Victoria
Schooling: St Ambrose, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Farm hand
Died: Died of wounds, France, 3 July 1918
Cemetery: Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France
Plot III, Row D, Grave No. 42
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Nathalia Rock and Chain Memorial, Nathalia War Memorial
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World War 1 Service

22 Sep 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 680, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion
20 Oct 1916: Involvement Private, 680, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: ''
20 Oct 1916: Embarked Private, 680, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, HMAT Borda, Melbourne
1 Sep 1917: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 21st Infantry Battalion
20 Sep 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 680, 21st Infantry Battalion, Menin Road
4 Oct 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 680, 21st Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge
31 Oct 1917: Honoured Military Medal, Broodseinde Ridge, At BROODSEINDE on 4th October, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry as a Headquarters Runner. This Private was conspicuous for the brilliant manner in which he carried messages forward during the operations from 4th to 10th October, 1917.
3 Jul 1918: Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 680, 21st Infantry Battalion, SW to abdomen and leg sustained near Villers-Bretonneux. Evacuated to 4th Aust Field Ambulance where he died of wounds later the same day.
3 Jul 1918: Involvement Private, 680A, 21st Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 680A awm_unit: 21st Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1918-07-03

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Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks

William Piper died in the 4th Australian Field Ambulance after suffering shrapnel wounds to the abdomen.

At just 19 years of age he won the Military Medal at Broodseinde 'For conspicuous gallantry as a Headquarters Runner. This Private was conspicuous for the brilliant manner in which he carried messages forward during the operations from 4th to 10th October, 1917. In spite of many casualties amonst his comrades he was always ready for a run under the most severe conditions. on several occasions he carried urgent messages to the front line through almost impassable barrages.'

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