| Regimental number | 482 |
| Place of birth | Brunswick, Victoria |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Printer |
| Address | Eden Hills, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 18 |
| Height | 5' 6.5" |
| Weight | 131 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Catherine M Drilling, Eden Hills, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Served for 3 years in the Senior Cadets, Area 53B: resigned on leaving the state. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Keswick, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, B Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Adelaide, 18 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 18 December 1915. Found guilty, Tel el Kebir, 29 February 1916, of failing to appear at time and place of parade: awarded two days' confined to barracks. Found guilty, Ferry Post, 24 April 1916, of talking in the ranks: awarded 3 days' confined to barracks. Found guilty, Moascar, 1 June 1916, of being unshaven on parade: awarded 3 days' confined to barracks and forfeits on day's pay. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Detached to Lewis Gun School, Le Treport, 3 August 1916; rejoined unit, 11 August 1916. Admitted to 5th Divisional Rest Station, 13 February 1917, and transferred to No 4 Australian Field Ambulance the same day (dental); discharged to duty, 14 February 1917. Admitted to No 15 Australian Field Ambulance, 19 April 1917, and transferred to 5th Divisional Rest Station the same day (abscess on right groin); to No 56 Casualty Clearing Station, 21 April 1917; to No 11 Ambulance Train, 22 April 1917; to No 13 General Hospital, Boulogne, 23 April 1917; to England, 24 April 1917; to Ontario Military Hospital, Orpington, Kent, 25 April 1917; to No 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 26 June 1917; discharged to furlough, 29 June 1917; marched into No 4 Command Depot, Codford, 13 July 1917. Marched into Overseas Training Depot, Perham Downs, 6 August 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 7 September 1917; marched into 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Le Havre, 8 September 1917. Proceeded to unit, 17 September 1917; rejoined 32nd Bn, 20 September 1917. Detached to 8th Bde Supply Dump, 13 October 1917; rejoined unit, 31 December 1917. On leave to England, 11 October 1918; rejoined unit, 28 October 1918. Proceeded to England, 3 February 1919; marched into 2nd Training Bde Convalescent Camp, 15 February 1919. Commenced return to Australia from Liverpool on board HT 'Wyreema', 13 April 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 27 May 1919; discharged Adelaide (termination of period of enlistment), 20 July 1919. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal Cause of death: tuberculosis |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 28 |
| Place of burial | AIF Cemetery (Row 9 West, Grave 3), West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, DRILLING William |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
