William Oyston

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 19/06/2016 - 12:15

First Name:

William

Last Name:

Oyston

Date of Birth:

Monday, January 18, 1892

Mother's Name:

Martha Oyston nee Carter

Father's Name:

George Oyston

Date Enlisted:

Friday, August 28, 1914

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

1st Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Saturday, May 1, 1965

Details:

William Oyston (Service No 729) was born in Bulli, N.S.W. and the first of 2 brothers to enlist.

William was one of the earliest to enlist in Wollongong, and did so when he was single, 22 years old and employed as a railway porter.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A19 Afric with D Company, 1st Battalion on 18th October 1914. Part of the first contingent, he arrived in Egypt in early December. He embarked with the first troops to leave for Gallipoli and landed early on 25th April 1915.

William was wounded in action some time between 25th and 29th April and evacuated on 29th April to hospital in Egypt for treatment of a gun shot wound to his left thigh.

Due to heavy casualities wounded soldiers were often left untreated with little or no treatment in those first few days of the battle.

In hospital in Egypt William was deemed unfit for active service and returned to Australia in July 1915. He was discharged medically unfit on 15th March 1916 after further treatment in Australia.

On 16th May 1917 William married Marion Spicer and they had 2 children.

William also served in World War 2 (Service No N339176).

Sources:

NAA: B2455, OYSTON WILLIAM