The AIF Project

William Augustus TROTT

Regimental number233
Date of birth17 May 1894
Place of birthNewtown, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationClerk
Address34 Margaret Street, Manly, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinJohn R Trott, 34 Margaret Street, Manly, New South Wales
Enlistment date18 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentSergeant
Unit name2nd Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/19/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A23 Suffolk on 18 October 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Battalion
Promotions

Lieutenant


Promotion date: 7 October 1915

FateEffective abroad (still overseas)
Medals

Military Cross

'for conspicuous gallantry in action. He showed marked courage and initiative in re-organizing and leading forward a raiding party. Later, after the withdrawal, he returned to the enemy's trench to ascertain that none of his men had been left behind.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103
Date: 29 June 1917

Discharge date22 January 1918
Other details

Medals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, France, Belgium. Wounded, Gallipoli landing, 25 April 1915; evacuated to Alexandria, Egypt; returned to duty, May 1915. Battalion withdrawn for rest to Lemnos, September 1915; returned late October 1915. Commissioned, 7 October 1915. Remained at Gallipoli until the December evacuation; moved to France, late March 1916. Fought at Pozieres, July 1916; helped capture a concrete blockhouse ('Gibraltar'), 23 July 1916; suffered shellshock and was evacuated. Rejoined the 2nd Bn in September 1916, at the Ypres salient, Belgium. Commanded a raid on the German trenches on the night of 12 October; awarded the Military Cross. Became adjutant of the Bn, November 1916; subsequently served at Bullecourt and the 3rd Battle of Ypres. Discharged, 22 January 1918; commissioned into the Indian Army and posted to the 9th Jat Regiment, serving with it in Mesopotamia until the end of the war. Graduated from Quetta Staff College, 1933. Held the rank of Brigadier-General, September 1939; became AA&QMG, September 1940, serving with the 9th Indian Division in the Malayan campaign, and assuming command of the 8th Indian Brigade in the final stages of the campaign. Captured by the Japanese and served as a prisoner of war until the end of the war, August 1945. Served as deputy-director of repatriation and rehabilitation, Indian Army, March 1946-147. Retired, 1947; lived in Adelaide, South Australia; was an active worker for Legacy. Survived by his wife, son and daughter.

Date of death2 February 1959

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