William Alfred Swannell

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Thu, 20/08/2015 - 13:03

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