S5574
ACOTT, William Thomas
| Service Numbers: | 77, S72008 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 October 1914, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 9th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Laura, South Australia, 1 January 1893 |
| Home Town: | Laura, Northern Areas, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Laura Public School |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith |
| Memorials: | Laura District Honour Roll, Laura Methodist Church Roll of Honour, Laura Public School Roll of Honour, Laura RSL Members WW1 Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Oct 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 77, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Feb 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 77, 9th Light Horse Regiment, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Armadale embarkation_ship_number: A26 public_note: '' | |
| 12 Feb 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 77, 9th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Armadale, Melbourne |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, S72008 | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Oct 1942: | Discharged | |
| Date unknown: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, S72008 |
Help us honour William Thomas Acott's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
William Thomas Acott was born in the South Australian Town of Laura where he attended the local Laura public School. Before World War 1, he worked as a Blacksmith. As written on his Medical Examination, Acott was of pale complexion with dark, curly hair and light blue eyes. His Mother, Mrs S.A. Acott waslisted as his next of kin and his brother Albert Walter Acott. Albert was killed in action on the 20th of September 1917.
Before joining the AIF, Acott served in the Light Horse, Citizen Military Forces, which he was still serving at the time of enlistment. He joined the AIF at an age of 21 years and 8 months. Acott embarked from Australia onboard the HMAT Armadale (A26) as part of the 9th Light Horse Regiment with a rank of Private.
Shortly after being deployed (24/2/15) Acott was awarded extra fatigues – extra duties, especially those involving laborious activities – for hesitating to obey an order; this is the only misdemeanor on his record.
Acott served at Gallipoli from 15 May 1915 and around a month later on the 20th of June 1915, Acott was admitted to hospital due to Influenza. His stay in hospital continued for just over two weeks, in which, he suffered from both myalgia and diarrhea. Acott returned to duty on the 8th of July 1915. Just one week after returning to his regiment, (15.7.15) he was admitted to the Gloucester Castle hospital ship after once again contracting Influenza. This ship transported him to the now-country of Malta, where he was transferred between 3 different hospitals.
Acott then transferred to the 4th Auxiliary Hospital located in Egypt where he was admitted due to mumps. He then returned to duty and was transferred to the 3rd Light Horse Reserve Regiment which had joined the ANZAC Mounted Division. This combined force was deployed to defend the Nile valley throughout the early months of the year 1916.
On the 18th of April 1916, Acott was taken on strength by the 25th Howitzer Brigade and posted to the 114th Battery. The brigade was sent to fight on the front lines in French territory. On the fourth of July 1916, the battery detrained at Steenbecque, a French commune. They then travelled by road to Blaringhem where the billeting areas -living quarters- were located. Shortly after (07/07/16) this Acott was transferred from the 114th to 115th battery. One week later, on the 15th of July, Acott’s battery, among many others were heavily bombarded by enemies but reported no casualties.
Between the 28th and 30th of July, the 115th Battery assisted in defending the French town of Fleurbaix.
Between the 1st and the 21st of February 1917, Acott proceeded on leave.
On the 23rd of March 1917, Acott was detached for duty to the 5th division Australian Headquarters (5th Division Base Depot) in Étaples, France. There, he served as a horse groomer to Lieutenant Depledge. His attachment to 5th Division Headquarters ceased on the 22nd of December 1917, with his transfer to the 14th Field Artillery Brigade; He was posted to the 114th Battery.
During his time in the 14th Field Artillery Brigade, Acott served in regions such as Estree, Verchocq, and Pont Mahet where his battery, the 114th fired on a large working party. He continued to fight and serve in the 14th FAB until the 6th of July 1918. On this date, he was transferred to the 3rd squadron of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC), as Batman –a personal servant—to Lieutenant Depledge.
One month later, Acott began to suffer from both illness and a perennial abscess, leading to him being administered to hospital, (01/08/18). Over the next few months, Acott developed hemorrhoids and then abscesses and was transferred between hospitals.
On the 3rd of January 1919, Acott departed back to Australia on the ship Orontes after being discharged due to his poor health. He returned to South Australia where he continued to live at the address 3 Abbotsbury Place, Evandale, South Australia.
Acott also served a short service in World War 2, with the rank of private. His service lasted from the 21st of May 1942 to the 6th of October 1942 when he was discharged due to not attending parade (Being absent when they were marching out).