Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Also served in WW1, Private S.N. 91, 11th Light Horse Regiment AIF.

When William Abell enlisted in 1901 in the 6th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander 13 Apr 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as Mrs. Abell, Stanley Terrace, Taringa. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 6th QIB, Bk 2 p. 38, it is noted he directed part of his pay to his mother Mrs. M. Abell, Stanley Terrace, Taringa.

William Abell was born on 16 Apr 1874 at Leeds, England, a son to Lonsdale Abell and Mary Abell (nee Slater). 

When he enlisted on 31 Dec 1914 for WW1 he noted on his Attestation Paper that; he was born in Leeds, England on 16 Apr 1876 (appears to have lowered his age) and was 38 years old; he was a farmer and N.O.K. was his sister Edith Darling Abell; and he had previously served in the Boer War in the 6th QIB. 

He was also a sportsman being a cricketer of high standard. He represented Queensland as wicket keeper in one interstate match with NSW in Dec 1902, the first between the two states since 1899. Sometime later he settled at Granville, New South Wales, for many years before returning to Queensland where he was living when he enlisted for WW1. He died at Herston in Queensland on 10 Jun 1960.

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 514; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 6th QIB, Bk 2 p. 38; National Archives Australia- WW1 service record).