William Alfred Swannell

First Name: 
William
Middle Name: 
Alfred
Last Name: 
Swannell
Date of Birth: 
Saturday, July 7, 1888
Mother's Name: 
Mary (nee Lyle)
Father's Name: 
Alfred Swannell
Date Enlisted: 
Friday, October 1, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
2nd Battalion
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Monday, July 24, 1916
Place of Death: 
France
Cause of Death: 
Died of wounds recieved
Details: 

William Swannell was born in Sofala, NSW and attended Wattle Flat Public School. At the time of enlistment he was a single 27 year old miner living and working at Helensburgh, NSW.

He embarked on HMAT A60 Aeneas with 13th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion on 20th December 1915. After arriving in Egypt he was transferred to 2nd Battalion on 14th February 1916. William sailed for France with them, arriving on 28th March 1916. In June 1916 he was sent to the Divisional Bomb School for a week and returned to his unit on 28th June.

While engaged in the battle for Poziere he was wounded in action. He was taken to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station for treatment of shrapnel wounds to his head but died from these wounds. William is buried in Pucshevillers British Military Cemetery Plot II, Row A, Grave 6.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, SWANNELL WILLIAM ALFRED