WILLSHIRE, William Henry
| Service Number: | SX6164 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 June 1940, Wayville, SA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, 23 May 1902 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Libya, 20 August 1941, aged 39 years |
| Cemetery: |
Tobruk War Cemetery, Tobruk |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Pathway of Honour - The Rats of Tobruk WW2 Memorial, Adelaide The Siege of Tobruk Commemorative Cross, Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 21 Jun 1940: | Involvement Private, SX6164, 2nd/10th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Wayville, SA | |
| 21 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX6164, 2nd/10th Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Private William Henry Willshire
SX6164 – 2/10th Infantry Battalion
23 May 1902 – 20 August 1941
Early Life
William Henry Willshire was born on 23 May 1902 at Broken Hill, New South Wales, the son of Robert Charles Willshire and May Muriel Willshire.
He grew up in a working-class environment and later worked as a labourer, reflecting the practical, industrious life common to many Australians of his generation.
Marriage & Family
On 4 May 1927, William married:
Ruby Tonkin
at the Church of Christ Manse, Mile End, South Australia.
They had at least two daughters:
Peggy Frances Willshire (born 6 April 1929)
Olive Jean Willshire (born 1932)
By 1940, the family resided at:
23 Barham Street, Allenby Gardens, South Australia
Military Service
William enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.):
Enlisted: 21 June 1940, Wayville, South Australia
Service Number: SX6164
Rank: Private
Unit: 2/10th Infantry Battalion
At enlistment, he was:
38 years old
Married with two young daughters
Employed as a labourer
Of the Church of Christ faith
Physical description from service records:
Hair: Light brown
Eyes: Blue
Distinguishing marks: Scars on left knee and right shin
Service in the Middle East
After training in Australia, William was deployed to the Middle East in early 1941, joining the 2/10th Battalion, part of the 9th Division.
He served during the Siege of Tobruk (April–December 1941), where Australian troops became known as the:
“Rats of Tobruk”
Wounding & Death
During the siege, William sustained:
Multiple shell wounds
He died of those wounds on:
20 August 1941, aged 39 years
Location: Libya
A Court of Inquiry confirmed his death resulted from active service and was not due to negligence.
Burial & Commemoration
He is buried at:
Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya
Plot 6, Row D, Grave 6
He is commemorated at:
Australian War Memorial – Roll of Honour (Panel 35)
Adelaide Pathway of Honour – Rats of Tobruk Memorial
Siege of Tobruk Commemorative Cross, Adelaide
WWII Wall of Remembrance, Adelaide
Woodville Community Roll of Honour
Legacy
Private William Henry Willshire stands among the men of the 2/10th Battalion and the legendary Rats of Tobruk, remembered for their endurance, courage, and sacrifice.
He left behind his wife Ruby and daughters Peggy and Olive, who grew up without their father.
Inscription
“At Sunset and In The Morning, We Will Remember Them”
Sources & Evidence
National Archives of Australia (NAA)
Service Record: SX6164 – William Henry Willshire
(Attestation papers, Service & Casualty Forms, Court of Inquiry)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
Tobruk War Cemetery Burial Record
Australian War Memorial (AWM)
Roll of Honour – Panel 35
South Australian Marriage IndexWillshire–Tonkin marriage (1927)
South Australian Birth IndexPeggy Frances Willshire (1929)
Olive Jean Willshire (1932)
Family / Cemetery Records & Memorial Listings
(Woodville Roll of Honour, Adelaide memorials)
Disclaimer
This biography has been compiled from a combination of official military records, civil registration indexes, cemetery records, and historical sources.
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some details—particularly relating to family life, movements, and personal circumstances—may be incomplete or subject to revision as additional records become available.
Researchers are encouraged to consult original archival documents where possible to verify and expand upon this information.
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 20/04/2026
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