The AIF Project

William John BEST

Regimental number1921
Place of birthArmagh, Ireland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarmer
Addressc/o Mrs Lucy Allan, Wood Street, Mackay, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation33
Height5' 8.5"
Weight141 lbs
Next of kinWilliam John Best, 3 Russels Street, Armagh, Ireland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date13 January 1915
Place of enlistmentMackay, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name9th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/26/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A55 Kyarra on 16 April 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll9th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 27 September 1917
Discharge date26 December 1917
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Brisbane, 16 April 1915; joined unit, Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 27 June 1915.

Admitted to General Hospital, 31 August 1915; discharged from hospital and rejoined unit, 3 September 1915.

Appointed Lance Corporal, Lemnos, 4 December 1915; marched in to Alexandria, Egypt, 4 January 1916; promoted to Corporal, Serapeum, 12 March 1916.

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 27 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 3 April 1916; promoted to Sergeant, 20 April 1916.

Wounded in action, 25 July 1916; admitted to 22nd General Hospital, Camiers, 27 July 1916 (shell shock); transferred to No 6 Convalescent Depot, 30 July 1916; discharged to duty and marched in to 1st Australian Division Base Depot, Etaples, 2 August 1916; rejoined 9th Bn from Hospital, 5 August 1916.

Wounded in action, admitted to 3rd Field Ambulance and transferred to 9th Casualty Clearing Station, 13 April 1917 (gun shot wound to left thigh); to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, 14 April 1917; to No 6 Ambulance Train, 15 April 1917; to 6th General Hospital, Rouen, 16 April 1917; to England, 2 May 1917; admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road, England, 3 May 1917; transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 23 July 1917; discharged from hospital and marched in to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 27 July 1917.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Suevic', 27 September 1917; disembarked Melbourne, 18 November 1917; discharged 26 December 1917 (medically unfit: gun shot wound to left thigh).

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, BEST William John

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