William Munro

William Munro (Service No 1595) was born in Cardross, Dumbarton, Scotland.

At enlistment William was 33 years old and worked as a labourer. It is unclear as to where William was living, but he listed a Mrs Russell of Thirroul as his friend and next of kin.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A49 Seang Choon with 3rd Reinforcements, 1st Battalion, on 11th February 1915.  After arriving in Egypt he was sent on to join 1st Battalion on Gallipoli on 2nd May 1915.

On 6th July 1915 he became ill and was admitted to hospital in Malta, then sent on to hospital in Egypt on 23rd August 1915.  William remained in Egypt until late in 1916.

On 23rd September 1916 he joined 1st Battalion in France and served on the Western Front until 5th January 1917 when he was wounded in action. He was evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of gun shot wounds to his head and right elbow.  He finally returned to 1st Battalion on 31st August 1917.

William was sent on to Belgium where, on 4th October 1917, he was wounded a second time, receiving shrapnel wounds to his left leg while fighting at Passchendaele.  William remained on duty at the time, however, on 7th October he was sent to hospital for treatment of his wounds.

Back in England he was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and tachycardia and sent back to Australia in April 1918.

William was discharged medically unfit on 17th July 1918.

On 30th October 1934 a William Struthers of Scotland wrote to the Army enquiring as to William's whereabouts.  The Army replied that William had received a War Pension until 1920 when it was 'cancelled owing to his whereabouts being unknown'. -- NAA p.78.