| Regimental number | 618 |
| Place of birth | Seymour, Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Platelayer |
| Address | Tallarook Street, Seymour, Victoria |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 39 |
| Height | 5' 5" |
| Weight | 140 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs L Sims, King Street, Alberton, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Keswick, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, B Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 29th Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Adelaide, 18 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 18 December 1915. Found guilty, Moascar, 19 December 1915, of (1) being absent without leave; (2) disobeying an order given by a superior Officer: awarded 7 days' confined to camp, and forfeited 7 days' pay. Admitted to 3rd Field Ambulance, Tel el Kebir, 9 February 1916 (dental); transferred to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Ferry Post, 1 April 1916; rejoined Bn, Duntroon Plateau, 12 April 1916. Transferred to 29th Bn, 13 May 1916; taken on strength, 29th Bn, Ferry Post, 14 May 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Found guilty, 29 June 1916, of being unshaven on parade: awarded 2 days' Field Punishment No 2. Wounded in action, 19 July 1916 (gun shot wound, left wrist); admitted to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 20 July 1916; transferred to 8th Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, 22 July 1916; to England, 23 July 1916, and admitted to 2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester, 24 July 1916; discharged on furlough, 20 October 1916, to report to No 4 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 4 November 1916. Marched in to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, from Perham Downs, 18 November 1916. Medical Board, Weymouth, 19 November 1916, ruled he was 'permanently unfit for General Service & permanently unfit for Home service'. Commenced return to Australia from Plymouth on board HT 'Benalla', 13 February 1917; arrived Melbourne, 10 April 1917, for onward travel to Adelaide; discharged (medically unfit), Adelaide, 28 May 1917. War service: 1 year 325 days (of which 1 year 144 days was abroad) Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, SIMS William James |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
