Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Corporal William Fennelly, an Australian veteran of both World Wars and who was at the landing of Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 23 September 2023, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

William Fennelly was born on 1 February 1882 in Miles, Qld, to Paul Fennelly and Mary Fennelly (née Murphy). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Maryborough in early September 1914, aged 32, and gave his trade as fireman. He was posted to the 9th Battalion and embarked from Brisbane on 24 September 1914 aboard HMAT Omrah. He trained in Egypt before landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

His service record notes that he was wounded in action at the Dardanelles and was treated before returning to duty. He continued serving on the peninsula until the evacuation. After returning to Egypt, he rejoined the 9th Battalion and later proceeded to the Western Front.

Throughout 1916–1918 he experienced several periods of illness and hospitalisation. The casualty form records a gas wound on 22 December and multiple admissions for severe illness and convalescence. He was wounded again on 3 May 1917, and on 1 May 1918 next of kin were notified of his status as a convalescent. A further entry in 1918 notes a fractured orbit and subsequent hospitalisation.

He returned to Australia on SS Port Hacking, with leave granted in December 1918 and disembarkation recorded on 2 January 1919. He was discharged from the 1st AIF in April 1919.

During the Second World War, Fennelly again served, enlisting in the garrison forces. He served as a private under service number Q187055 with the 1st Garrison Battalion and later under service number N282350 with the 2nd Garrison Battalion, undertaking home-defence and security duties in Queensland.

Newspaper reports indicate that, by his late fifties, Fennelly had come to the attention of local courts for alcohol-related offences. One article records that he failed to appear on a charge of drunkenness and forfeited his bail, noting several previous convictions. This pattern reflects the difficulties faced by many war veterans who carried long-term physical and psychological impacts from active service, often at a time when post-war support systems were limited. His contact with the courts appears to have occurred during the years in which he moved between temporary accommodation and institutional care. By 1947 he was residing at Eventide Nursing Home, Sandgate, Brisbane.

Corporal William Fennelly died on 27 July 1954, aged 72, and was interred in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He was a single man who had no known children.

After seven decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.