Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Anderson CONNELL was born on 30th January, 1884 in Launceston, Tasmania - he was the son of James CONNELL and Harriet BROWN

Served in South African War - 8th Australian Commonwealth Horse (Tas) Service no. 295

When peace was declared on 31st May, 1902 several of the battalions including the 8th were still at sea

----------------

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'On 25th April, 1915, during operations near Gaba Tepe, for gallantly attacking an entrenched position and an enemy's machine gun.'
Source: 'London Gazette' No. 6542
Date: 3 July 1915

‘Sergeant Connell of the 12th Battalion commanded a section which had been sandwiched into the line of the 10th, and of which he had been placed in charge during the orderly reorganisation upon the plateau. The order was passed from Major Hurcombe of the 10th that this part of the line was to advance in small parties, about twenty at a time. Connell took this for a command to advance against the Third ridge. As he led his party across Johnston’s Jolly, Turks jumped up from the scrub ahead of them and bolted. They had probably been lying there all the morning, and a few seem to have lain there still, occasionally sniping when a good target offered. Connell led his party half-southwards into Owen’s Gully, but other sections of Australians could be seen who continued to advance eastwards on the summit of Johnston’s Jolly. Ahead of these, where the shoulder of the Jolly sloped into Owen’s Gully, Connell noticed a short trench containing a party of Turks and a machine gun. The enemy were intent upon the Australians on the Jolly, who had seen them and were making towards them. Connell’s party at once turned up the slope and raced for the gun. As they neared it the Turks caught sight of them, fired a few hurried shots, shouldered the gun, and disappeared into the scrub.

Connell intended to occupy this trench with his party. But no sooner had he reached it, than a Turkish battery opened upon him with shrapnel. He therefore took his men down into Owen’s Gully, and, after wandering in the thick scrub towards its mouth, moved into a deserted Turkish trench which led up onto Lone Pine, near the inland end of the 400 Plateau. There for a time his party stayed.’

Extract from CEW Bean History of WW1, Volume 1 Anzac, page 375, 'The 2nd Brigade on 400 Plateau'

Son of James and H M CONNELL

Served in South African War

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'On 25th April, 1915, during operations near Gaba Tepe, for gallantly attacking an entrenched position and an enemy's machine gun.'
Source: 'London Gazette' No. 6542
Date: 3 July 1915