William Armitage Marshall

William Marshall (Service No 164) was born in Gisborne, New Zealand about 1889.  William had served 2 years with the 2nd Auckland Rifles before coming to Australia.

When William enlisted he was 25 years old, single, lived at Bulli, N.S.W. and worked as a miner.

He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A14 Euripides with A Comnpay, 3rd Battalion on 19th October 1914.  William arrived in Egypt and was sent on to Gallipoli, arriving on 25th April.

William served on Gallipoli until 5th July 1915 when he became ill and was admitted to hospital.  He rejoined 3rd Battalion at Gallipoli on 7th December 1915 and remained until the evacuation.

William was then sent on to France, arriving on 28th March 1916.  He served on the Western Front, and was involved in the battle for Pozieres, but between 22nd and 27th July 1916 he was wounded in action and evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of a gun shot wound to his shoulder.

William rejoined his unit in France on 7th January 1917.  On 21st March he was promoted to Corporal.

On 9th April 1917, while fighting at Hermies, William showed such gallantry that he was awarded the Distinguised Conduct Medal for 'Conspicuous gallantry and daring, and rendering valuable service as Lewis Gunner' (REcommendation for DCM).   The citation for his DCM reads: "Hermies 9th April 1917.  For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  He handled his machine gun with great skill, and succeeded in silencing the enemy fire.  He has at all times set a splendid example of courage and initiative." Commonwealth Gazette No 169, 4th October 1917.

On 6th May 1917 William was wounded a second time, receiving a gun shot wound to his left foot and sent to hospital in England for treatment.  He returned to France and joined B Company.  During fighting on 17th April 1918, William was killed in action.

There is no known grave for William; he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux, France.