The AIF Project

William George SPEECHLEY

Regimental number690
Place of birthBendigo Victoria
Other NamesSPEECHLEY, Wm Geo
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationMiner
AddressHoldsworth Road, Long Gully, Bendigo, Victoria
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation23
Next of kinWife, Mrs Eva Speechley, Holdsworth Road, Long Gully, Long Gully, Bendigo, Victoria
Enlistment date18 February 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name22nd Battalion, C Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/39/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 10 May 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll22nd Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 9 March 1919
Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll)*Given name William George
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'During the operations of 7-9 October, 1918, in the advance from Geneve to Busigny, he guided two companies to the assembly point under difficult conditions and heavy fire. During the attack he was, by his gallant leadership, directly responsible for the killing and capturing of a number of the enemy with their machine guns.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 35
Date: 15 April 1920

Military Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on VILLE-SUR-ANCRE near ALBERT on the morning of 19th, May, 1918. This N.C.O. was in charge of a Platoon during the attack, and showed great judgment and initiative in getting his men forward. In one place the platoon was held up by a nest of three Machine Guns. SPEECHLEY organised the Platoon for the attack, enveloped their flank, and captured the guns with only slight casualties to his men. On arriving on the objective he found that his platoon had suffered many casualties, but his determination was so great and his cheerfulness so infective that his men were enabled, mainly owing to his personality, to complete the task allotted to them.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919

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