The AIF Project

William Thomas CONNOLLY

Regimental number3585
Place of birthBurraga, New South Wales
SchoolCobar Public School, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
Address7 Little Bloomfield Street, Surry Hills, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Height5' 7.25"
Weight133 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs A Sprague, 7 Little Bloomfield Street, Surry Hills, New South Wales
Previous military serviceServed in the Compulsory Military Training scheme.
Enlistment date26 October 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll25 October 1915
Place of enlistmentWarwick Farm, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name2nd Battalion, 11th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/19/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 2 November 1915
Regimental number from Nominal Roll3585A
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll54th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19-20 July 1916
Place of death or woundingArmentieres, France
Age at death17
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 10), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
158
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Joined 2nd Bn, Tel el Kebir, 5 February 1916.

Transferred to 54th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 14 February 1916; joined 54th Bn, 16 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Killed in action, 19/20 July 1916.

Translation of German message, 25 October 1919, 'Iden: Disc handed over by Intell: Off: with 6th Army H.Q. 12/10/16[.] Australian Soldier Connolly, W.T., Iden: Disc 3585, of 54th Btn. fell in the neighbourhood of Fromelles on 19 July 1916'.

Note, Red Cross File No 781105: 'The above name appeared on German list dated 4-11-16.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsMother's address subsequently 4 Little Bloomfield Street, Surry Hills, New South Wales.
SourcesNAA: B2455, CONNOLLY William Thomas
Red Cross file 781105

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