William David Longstaff

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 30/06/2015 - 09:25

First Name:

William

Middle Name:

David

Last Name:

Longstaff

Mother's Name:

Marian Longstaff (nee Elgin)

Father's Name:

John Longstaff

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, August 19, 1914

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

2nd Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Sunday, August 8, 1915

Place of Death:

Gallipoli, Turkey

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

William Longstaff (Service No 69) was born in Melbourne, Victoria, in July 1893. He went to school in Broadford, Victoria.

When William enlisted he lived at Kiama. He was 22 years old, single, and worked as a labourer. William had spent 12 months with the St Georges Rifles.

He embarked on HMAT A23 Suffolk on 18th October 1914 with A Company, 2nd Battalion, as part of the first contingent to leave Australia.

After training in Egypt he sailed to Gallipoli with C Company, landing on the first day. He survived the early fighting. William was part of the 2nd Battalion's attack on Lone Pine, but was posted as wounded and missing on 8th August. He was later declared killed in action.

There is no known grave for William.

William's brother Richard also died at Gallipoli in 1915, abd both the brothersare commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, LONGSTAFF WILLIAM DAVID