William Burns Gemmell

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 10/08/2015 - 10:24

First Name:

William

Middle Name:

Burns

Last Name:

Gemmell

Mother's Name:

Esther Gemmell

Father's Name:

Allen Gemmell

Date Enlisted:

Friday, October 27, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

45th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Wednesday, April 17, 1918

Place of Death:

England

Details:

William Gemmell (Service No 3150) was born in Wollongong, NSW around 1891.

At enlistment William was single, 25 years old, worked as a miner, and lived at Balgownie, NSW.

He embarked on HMAT A72 Beltana with 8th Reinforcements, 45th Battalion, on 25th November 1916 and arrived in France on 7th May 1917. William saw service on the Western Front until he was evacuated to hospital in England on 11th October 1917 for treatment of trench foot and exhaustion.

William remained in England until he sadly died by his own hand on 17th April 1918. William had been at No 3 Rest Camp and due to return to the Western Front. He was buried with full military honours and his family advised of his death with great compassion, his mother having been sent a letter with a very kind and thoughtful message. A subsequent inquest found William to be suffering from temporary insanity.

He is buried in Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, Row N, Grave 644.

His brother, Alexander Webster Gemmell (Service No 3771) also served.

William's service is commemorated on the Balgownie Presbyterian Church Honour Roll.

Sources:

NAA: 2455, GEMMELL W B