The AIF Project

William STEER

Regimental number9820
Place of birthKensington South Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationConductor, Metropolitan Tramways Trust
AddressMaylands, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation28
Next of kinMother, Mrs C Steer, Phillis Street, Maylands, South Australia
Enlistment date17 August 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameField Ambulance 3, Reinforcement 16
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/46/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollDriver
Unit from Nominal Roll3rd Field Ambulance
FateReturned to Australia 2 January 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at BELLEWAARDE RIDGE, East of YPRES, on 4.10.17. Whilst driving his Ambulance wagon from Birr Cross Roads to Bellewaarde Ridge, during heavy shelling of the road which was being repeatedly smashed by shells, his four horses were struck by fragments of high explosive shell at a time when it was most urgent to remove wounded as quickly as possible from that Relay Post. He continued to go forward to the Loading Point at Bellewaarde Ridge. One of the horses died here and only one was fit for further use so, on his own initiative, he removed the useless horses, borrowed one from a passisng team and although one of his horses was again wounded while the change was being made he continued to carry on with his work thus materially aiding the evacuation of wounded at a very critical time. Throughout the operations he showed the greatest courage and devotion to duty, on three occasions working for twenty four hours continuously, clearing wounded under adverse weather and road conditions and frequently under heavy shell fire, setting a splendid example of gallantry and devotion to duty.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918

Family/military connectionsBrother: 178 Sergeant George Colin STEER, 10th Bn, killed in action, 10 August 1918.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death5 August 1951
Age at death63
Place of burialAIF Cemetery (Row 22, Grave 51), West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia

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