William Henry OPIE

Regimental number292
Place of birthBroken Hill New South Wales
ReligionMethodist
OccupationHorse driver
AddressYork Street, Chester Park, Sth Fremantle, Western Australia
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation25
Next of kinWife, Mrs Rose May Opie, Pennell Road, Claremont, Western Australia
Enlistment date18 January 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name44th Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/61/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 6 June 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll44th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


'Work as stretcher bearer under fire during attack on Green Line in vicinity of Huns Walk on 9 June 1917 .'
Recommendation date: "Unspecified"

FateReturned to Australia 31 January 1918
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when acting as a stretcher bearer. Whilst bringing in a wounded man on a stretcher, his fellow bearer was shot through the head, whereupon he picked up the stretcher case and carried him on his back to our lines unaided, under heavy machine gun and rifle fire. He then obtained the services of another stretcher bearer and returned to his work, which he carried on until he was wounded.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1917