MCHARDY, William Alexander
| Service Numbers: | 2193, 2193A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Invermoriston, Inverness Shire, Scotland, 9 November 1895 |
| Home Town: | Moonee Ponds, Moonee Valley, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Engineer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 25 July 1916, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
Pozières British Cemetery Plot IV, Row O, Grave No. 49, Pozieres British Cemetery Ovillers-La Boisselle, Pozieres, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, SN 2193, 5th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, SN 2193, 5th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières | |
| 15 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, SN 2193, 5th Infantry Battalion, SS Makarini, Melbourne | |
| 25 Jul 1916: | Involvement Private, SN 2193A, 5th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
Help us honour William Alexander McHardy's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
William Alexander McHardy was born in Scotland in 1895, the son of William McHardy who brought his family to Australia. Young William had arrived in Australia during August 1911 at the age of 15. His father had remarried after his first wife died. Young William, a son from the second marriage, enlisted in Melbourne with his half-brother, Frank John McHardy during 1915. They both joined the 5th Battalion.
They were killed in action on the same day at Pozieres. The deadly artillery bombardments from both sides on the 5th Battalion position killed them both. 124 men from the 5th Battalion were killed outright on this day. A witness stated in both of their Red Cross files, ‘at about 3.00 a.m. on the 25 July an attack was made by the 5th Battalion but the infantry attacked slightly too soon, and about 100 men reached the enemy trench before the artillery had lifted its fire, and were practically annihilated. McHardy was amongst these and the informant does not think there is the slightest chance for him. The Battalion was relieved that night before any of the dead had been brought in. The two brothers were always together.’
Although both listed as missing William’s remains were discovered at Pozieres in 1922 by the Graves Exhumation unit. He was recorded as being buried in his service file and he was identified by his ground sheet, which had his name, regimental number and unit marks. W.A. McHardy was buried in the Pozieres British Cemetery.