Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William was born at Mooroopna, Victoria on 4th August 1924 and he was the son of Mary Ellen Bartlett. William attended the Shepperton High School from 1935 to 1938 and with the excitement of the Second World War he enlisted as a Sapper on 15th September 1941 and he was allocated regimental number VX63506. On 24th June 1942 he was discharged for making a false answer on his attestation, as he was only 16 on enlisting. Keen to serve he re-enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force on 5th November 1942 and he was mustered in for Aircrew training and allocated regimental number 428465. He re-mustered as a trainee technical on 6th June 1943 and he trained as an Electrician and Electrical Mechanic serving in the Pacific. He was discharged as a Leading Aircraftman at his own request on 1st February 1946 and his character was listed as “Indifferent”. William then joined the Department of Aircraft Production (Beaufort Division) on 28th October 1946. He was employed as an electrician with the experimental department till he resigned on 10th April 1947. He then re-enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force on 14th April 1947 as an Electrical Mechanic and he was allocated regimental number 160582. However, on 27th February 1948 he was discharged for again making a false answer on his attestation papers, the reason is not recorded. He then joined the British Phosphate Commissioners as an electrician, and he served in Nauru from 14th July 1948 to 10th January 1949. On his return to Australia he enlisted with the Army in Sydney and after his basic training he was allocated to the Royal Australian Signal Corps and he was allocated regimental number 2/3389. He qualified as a Line Mechanic and Telegraph Mechanic and he served with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) Signal Regiment in Japan. He then served with the Britcom Base Signal Regiment, Kure Japan till the end of 1953 when he returned to Australian. In January 1956 he was again serving with the Britcom Base Signal Regiment as well as with the Commonwealth Contingent Korea Signal Squadron to May 1957. On his return to Australia he served with the Australian Headquarters Signal Squadron at Diggers Rest and Rock bank in Victoria where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 1st July 1957. In January 1959 he was posted to the Northern Territory Command Intercom Troop serving here till joining 407 Signal Squadron at Darwin in January 1960. On 1st January 1962 he was posted to the 1st Radio Installation Troop, Cabarlah Barracks in Brisbane, Queensland where he was appointed a Temporary Warrant Officer Class two from 8th January 1962. His Commanding Officer stated that he was extremely capable, and the men worked well under him. While with the 1st Radio Installation Troop he preformed the duties of WO2 Foreman of Signals of the Troop, and he served in New Guinea in charge of an installation in a very remote part of the country. His Commanding Officers remarks over this time stated he was a very competent tradesmen and readily accepts responsibility. On 30th May 1963 he was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class One and he was posted to the 1st Signal Project Squadron in Canberra in January 1964. He was employed as WO1 Foreman of Signals on the planning of the major Signal Centre installation of the Joint Communications Centre at Canberra, he was also employed on several miscellanies design tasks. In January 1965 he was posted to 127 Signal Squadron in Tate Street, Ivanhoe, Victoria where he was employed as the senior planner. William directed all planners and Installations till his retirement on 11th July 1970, one Commanding Officer wrote, he is one of the most senior men of his trade, able, trustworthy, competent and extremely reliable. For his serve with the Royal Australian Signals for 20 years he added a UN Korea Medal and a Long Service Good Conduct Medal to his 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and Australian Service Medal that he received with the Royal Australian Air Force. After his discharge he joined the Postmaster General Department which later changed its name to Telecom as an electrician. William died of cancer on 17th May 1976 aged only 51 and he was privately cremated on 19th May at the Springvale Crematorium in Victoria, his mother died the following year in 1977.