William Francis MCGRATH MM MID

MCGRATH, William Francis

    Service Numbers: 778, Q209774
    Enlisted: 6 April 1915
    Last Rank: Lieutenant
    Last Unit: 20th (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC)
    Born: Trafalgar, Victoria, Australia , 11 July 1894
    Home Town: Greenmount, Toowoomba, Queensland
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Farmer
    Died: Bundaberg, Queensland, 1 September 1961, aged 67 years, cause of death not yet discovered
    Cemetery: Bundaberg Catholic Cemetery
    Block 8 - P521
    Memorials: Pilton District WW1 Roll of Honour
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    World War 1 Service

    6 Apr 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, 778, 11th Light Horse Regiment
    2 Jun 1915: Embarked Private, 778, 11th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: ''
    2 Oct 1915: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 5th Light Horse Regiment (WW1), Alongside his brother John he was transferred to D Squadron, 5th Light Horse Regiment and landed on Gallipoli.
    20 Dec 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 778, 5th Light Horse Regiment (WW1), ANZAC / Gallipoli, Evacuated off the Gallipoli Peninsula.
    22 Feb 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 11th Light Horse Regiment, Transferred back to the regiment and followed them through the Sinai desert with his brother John. He was present at the Battle of Romani and the Second Battle of Gaza.
    1 Jul 1917: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 1st Battalion Imperial Camel Corps, Transferred to 2 Company, 1st Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps with his brother Con.
    11 Apr 1918: Honoured Mention in Dispatches, Egypt and Palestine - Light Horse and AFC Operations, For the Battle of Musallabeh, April 9th to 11th 1918. Recommendation reads, ‘During [the] period 8th to 11th April 1918 at Mussellabeh [sic]. For devotion to duty and gallantry. On 9th to 10th April as stretcher bearer and orderly, and on the 11th his services were invaluable to Captain Mills. The enemy attacked on [the] 11th after a bombardment. All telephone wires were cut by the barrage. Capt Mills was wounded fairly badly in the attack and was compelled to return back to Company Headquarters, from where he commanded his Company having the firing line under this senior Subaltern. He took McGrath with him as orderly. Until the telephone lines were repaired this soldier was continually to and from the firing line under heavy shellfire over the ground, for a distance of 200 yards. When reinforcements arrived, he guided them to their selected places quickly, and without mistake, also under heavy shell fire. This work entailed at least 8 trips to and from the firing line.’
    1 Jul 1918: Transferred AIF WW1, Trooper, 14th Light Horse Regiment
    21 Sep 1918: Honoured Military Medal, Egypt and Palestine - Light Horse and AFC Operations, Awarded for the fighting at Nablus during September 21st, 1918, 14th Light Horse Regiment. Recommendation reads as follows, ‘For distinguished gallantry in action at Nablus on 21st Sept 1918. Tpr McGrath was the lead attacking along the railway line under machine gun and rifle fire. He did good work in dislodging snipers. His coolness and bravery were a good example to the remainder of the group. This man has always been a good example and was previously recommended for bravery in action at MUSSELLABEH during a period of 9th to 11th April 1918.'
    7 May 1919: Embarked AIF WW1, Trooper, 778, 14th Light Horse Regiment, Embarked for UK Leave
    8 Oct 1919: Embarked AIF WW1, Trooper, 778, 14th Light Horse Regiment, Embarked home to Australia, arrived November 27th, 1919.
    29 Dec 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Trooper, 778, 14th Light Horse Regiment

    World War 2 Service

    23 Apr 1942: Involvement Lieutenant, Q209774
    23 Apr 1942: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant, Q209774, 20th (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC)
    23 Apr 1942: Enlisted
    22 Oct 1945: Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant, Q209774, 20th (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC)
    22 Oct 1945: Discharged

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