William James Claude TONG

Regimental number3536
Place of birthSt Kilda Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationDriver
AddressBalaclava, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Next of kinFather, William Henry Tong, 3 Rosamond Street, Balaclava, Victoria
Enlistment date9 February 1917
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name57th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/74/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 21 June 1917
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll13th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 6 September 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On the morning of 4th July, 1918, during operations at VAIRE WOOD, Privates 3536 W.J.C.] TONG and 4253 E.A. McLAUGHLAN] went forward with the Battalion forward party as runners. Within thirty minutes from time of hopping off, they delivered their first message from the advancing troops, under a very heavy enemy barrage. Returning to their forward station they set to work digging in and helping to establish the forward signal party. Working continuously for 7 or 8 hours delivering messages to Battalion Headquarters and forward Companies they displayed the utmost bravery and devotion to duty.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919