William Henry Gladstone Guard

William Guard was born at Bulli, N.S.W.

William first enlisted on 12 August 1914 (Service No 116) when he was 20 years old, single, and worked as a locomotive (train) fireman; William had served in 37th Infantry Militia.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A35 Berrima with A Company, Naval and Military Tropical Force on 19th August and served in New Guinea.  William returned to Australia at the end of his 6 month term and was discharged on 4th March 1915.

On 26th May 1915 William enlisted in the AIF (Service No 1707) and embarked from Sydney on HMAT A61 Kanowna as a Sergeant, with 2nd Reinforcements, 20th Battalion, on 19th June 1915.  He arrived on Gallipoli on 7th August 1915 and served until 15th November 1915 when he was wounded and evacuated to hospital in Egypt for treatment of shrapnel wound to the head.

After he recovered, he was sent to France, and arrived on 25th March 1916.  While serving on the Western Front, William was wounded while fighting at Pozieres on 5th August 1916.

He remained at the front and on 16th August 1916 was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.

On 15th November William was wounded a third time, but was again able to remain fighting on the front.

On 16th November 1916 he was promoted to Lieutenant.

On 27th December 1918 he was recommended for the Military Cross for untiring devotion to duty.

William returned to Australia in February 1919 and was discharged on 2nd June 1919.

On 12th May 1923 he married Vera Jordan at Ashfield, N.S.W. and they raised 2 children.

William died in Canberra, N.S.W. in 1968.