William John Gleeson

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Thu, 12/03/2015 - 13:31

First Name:

William

Middle Name:

John

Last Name:

Gleeson

Date of Birth:

Tuesday, January 1, 1895

Mother's Name:

Belinda Mary Maria (McKinley)

Father's Name:

Stephen

Date Enlisted:

Monday, March 6, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

4th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Saturday, January 31, 1959

Place of Death:

Cowra, New South Wales

Details:

Private William Gleeson (Service no. 6273) was born in Wollongong and at age of seven his father was killed in the Mount Kembla Mine disaster.

On enlistment he was listed as a miner. He embarked with 20th Reinforcements, 4th Battalion on HMAT A14 Euripides on 9th September, 1916. He served on the Western Front with the Battalion and appears not to have been wounded but his file gives little information about what happened to him. William seems to have been in a lot of trouble and was sentenced to 18 months hard labour. The war ended and he was returned to Australia in November 1919 and discharged on 6th December, 1919.

William does not appear to have married and was in and out of trouble for the rest of his life. Like a lot of men after the war experience caused difficulties and gaol was a safe place to be. William's brother Stephen also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, GLEESON W J

NAA: B73, M116080