William Westlake Stumbles

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 14/10/2017 - 11:47

First Name:

William

Middle Name:

Westlake

Last Name:

Stumbles

Date of Birth:

Wednesday, September 14, 1859

Mother's Name:

Annie Stumbles nee Byrnes

Father's Name:

Samuel Stumbles

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, September 22, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Trooper

Rank at Discharge:

Trooper

Unit:

Australian Remount Unit

Company:

Squadron 5

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Monday, September 21, 1942

Place of Death:

Wollongong, NSW

Details:

William Stumbles (Service no 1389) was born in Wollongong, NSW.

In 1881, William married Sarah Hall in Bathurst, NSW. They settled in Wollongong, NSW and raised their family.

At the time of enlistment William claimed to be 50 years of age, employed as a platelayer, resided in Wollongong, NSW and had previously served 13 years witht he Garrison Artillery in Wollongong, NSW. He was later proven to have been 56 years old at the time.

William embarked on HMAT A67 - Orsova with the Australian Remount Unit, Squadron 5 on 10 November 1915 and arrived in Egypt soon after. William met up with his son Wilfred Stumbles (Service no 219) when he arrived in Egypt. He served in Egypt until he returned to Australia in October 1916.

William was discharged on 9 December 1916 due to his Unit being disbanded.

William attempted to re-enlist a number of times in 1917 listing his age as 44 years and citing prior service in South Africa. William was accepted for enlistment but was discharged as overage on 11 August 1917.

William died in 1942 and is buried in Woronora Cemetery.

William is remembered on the Wollongong War Memorial along with his son Wilfred.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, STUMBLES WILLIAM WESTLAKE