William TOWNSEND

Regimental number272
Place of birthBirmingham England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationBrass finisher
AddressColac, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Next of kinFather, J W Townsend, 144 High Street, Bornbrook Birmingham, England
Enlistment date22 September 1914
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll1 October 1914
Rank on enlistmentDriver
Unit name14th Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/31/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A38 Ulysses on 22 December 1914
Regimental number from Nominal Roll272A
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Pioneer Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 18 October 1918
Medals

Military Medal

'For conspicuous and consistent good work during period February to September 1918. Particularly during the operations near MORCOURT commencing August 8th. Driver TOWNSEND displayed great gallantry. A few minutes after the Infantry hopped over ?Driver TOWNSEND drove his limber forward of the jumping off place supplying working party employed on laying out and taping dry weather tracks with material and keeping close up all the time to the advancing troops regardless of hostile shell fire.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 75
Date: 17 June 1919

Date of death22 April 1963
Place of burialSpringvale Cemetery