Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

At the time of enlistment he was residing in Brisbane, QLD

Son of Robert Charles Pascoe and Jane Pascoe nee Williamson of Tamworth, NSW

Commenced return to Australia on 3 July 1919 on board HT Malta disembarking on the 11 August 1919

On 18 August 1919 Willam married Elsie Celina Dowling in Queensland

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

From Australian Remembrance Army

Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant William Henry George Pascoe (Service No. 3186), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 20 September 2025, along with a further 161 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

William Henry George Pascoe was born in 1891 at Black Mountain, in the New England District of New South Wales, to Robert Charles Pascoe and Jane Pascoe (née Williamson). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Brisbane on 14 August 1915 at the age of 23, nominating his occupation as coachsmith — a specialist tradesman responsible for forging and fitting the iron components of carriages and wagons.

Promoted to Corporal on 11 May 1916, he embarked from Sydney on 3 February 1917 for overseas service with the 23rd Reinforcements, 5th Light Horse Regiment, aboard RMS Karmala. He disembarked at Suez on 11 March 1917 and proceeded to Moascar, Egypt. Shortly thereafter he was attached to signals duties, marching into the Signal School at Alexandria in April 1917. On 10 August 1917 he was transferred to the ANZAC Mounted Division Signal Squadron and appointed Sapper. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 16 June 1918 and, on 6 March 1919, promoted to Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant, 1st Signal Company Engineers.

His medical record notes an operation for a right inguinal hernia in August 1916, with no subsequent complications, although a left inguinal hernia was described as occasionally symptomatic. On 3 July 1919 he embarked at Kantara for return to Australia aboard HMAT Malta, departing via Suez, and arrived back in Australia in mid-August 1919.

Following his return, he married Elsie Celina Dowling in Queensland on 18 August 1919. Their son, Robert William “Bob” Pascoe, was born in Brisbane on 25 May 1920. By 1921 the family was residing in Toowoomba, where he was employed as a coachsmith. In 1924 they relocated to Southport, Queensland, where their daughter, Peggy May Pascoe, was born later that year.

William and Elsie remained in Southport for many years, during which he worked as an engine driver.
On Monday, 3 June 1940, a newspaper article reported that their daughter Peggy had sustained head injuries and abrasions in a collision between her bicycle and a motor car on the Southport Esplanade and had been taken to a private hospital by ambulance. She died the following day.

By 1959, William was a resident of Eventide Nursing Home, Sandgate, Brisbane.

SQMS William Henry George Pascoe died on 16 December 1959, aged 68, and was buried two days later in Anzac Portion 9, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.

After 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