The AIF Project

William Holden McEACHERN

Regimental number3439
Place of birthGlenroy, New South Wales
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationFarmer
AddressWagga Wagga, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 6.25"
Weight158 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Elizabeth McEachern, Wolseley Park, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date10 September 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll9 August 1916
Place of enlistmentCootamundra, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name56th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/73/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on 24 January 1917
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll56th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


Refers 11-12 May 1918.
Recommendation date: Unspecified

FateReturned to Australia 8 January 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Commemorated in Rosewood Cemetery: Stone '1914-18 War. In thanksgiving for the safe return of Hugh, William, Gordon and John. Sons of John and Elizabeth McEachern.'
Discharge date2 April 1919
Family/military connectionsBrothers: 1944 Corporal Hugh McEACHERN, 56th Bn, returned to Australia, 5 September 1919; 3185 Pte John Gilbert McEACHERN, 56th Bn, returned to Australia, 18 January 1919.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 24 January 1917; admitted to ship's hospital, 4 March 1917; discharged from ship's hospital, 22 March 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 27 March 1917, and marched in to 14th Training Bn, Hurdcott, and reverted to the ranks.

Proceeded overseas to France, 12 October 1917; taken on strength, 56th Bn, in the field, 28 October 1917.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 1 November 1917.

Detached to Corps Gas School, 17 February 1918; rejoined Bn, 27 February 1918.

Detached to Brigade School, 7 June 1918; rejoined Bn, 14 June 1918.

On leave to Paris, 28 June 1918; rejoined Bn from leave, 15 July 1918.

Appointed Temporary Corporal, 6 August 1918.

Wounded in action, 2 September 1918 (shrapnel wound, right arm), and admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred to 37th Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train No 33, 2 September 1918, and admitted to 12th General Hospital, Rouen, 3 September 1918; transferred to England, 4 September 1918, and admitted to Military Hospital, Boscombe, Hampshire, 5 September 1918; transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 21 September 1918; discharged to Littlemoor Camp, Weymouth, 4 October 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Orsova', 8 January 1919; disembarked, Melbourne, 20 February 1919, for onward travel to Sydney; discharged (medically unfit), 2 April 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsSecond given name incorrectly recorded on Embarkation Roll as Holdin; address incorrectly recorded as Woolsey Park.
SourcesNAA: B2455, McEACHERN William Holden

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