Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Bill never forgot his wartime experiences and empathised greatly with those less-fortunate diggers who returned home with disabilities, damaged in body or spirit.
Back home, Bill became active in the community on behalf of other returned servicemen:

"After the Armistice, he became active with other gunners in forming the Artillery Comrades’ Association and was, for five years, president and later became vice-patron of that organisation. The association formed the Gunners’ Welfare Fund, which was instrumental in sending large sums of money and various comforts to artillery units overseas in World War II, and also in providing an amelioration fund for returned gunners of both wars. During his term of presidency the Scholarship Trust was created, an undertaking unique amongst unit organisations and believed to be the only one in Australia, Providing scholarships for children of its members." [1]

Reflecting on Bill’s ongoing commitment to these organisations, other returned diggers and his reverence for comrades lost to the Great War, Bill’s daughter wrote:

"Anzac Day was the holy of holy days in our house. Anzac Eve, Dad got out his medals and polished them up, shoes were cleaned, frocks pressed to make sure everything went smoothly next day… From about the age of 14, Dot and I attended the Dawn Service but before that the main interest of the day was the march… Mum, Auntie Elsie, Evelyn, Gran, Dot and I walked into town and took up our position outside Sandovers in Hay Street… Dad, as President of the Artillery Comrades Association, was at the front of the group. After the march and the service on the Esplanade we sometimes had a treat of lunch at a cafe but we always finished up at Kings Park to view the wreaths on the memorial."[2]

Gunners Day was just as important to Bill. Each year he took part in a march through the streets of Guildford to St Matthews Church for a memorial service, the very same church he and his artillery unit had frequented whilst training at Blackboy Hill before they departed for France in 1916.

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[1] Listening Post (WA), Saturday 1 February 1947, page 11.
[2] Growing Up in Perth in the 20s & 30s; Memories by Jean Quarrill (nee Beadle) November 2003.

In October-November of 1918, Bill was again in England on leave, along with many other Australian troops, no doubt exhausted from what had now been years of relentless trench dwelling and combat. It was whilst Bill was in England that peace was finally declared on 11 November 1918.[1]

A digger described this historic moment with these words:

“The men just stood quiet and looked at one another, as though they couldn’t take it in. One felt like crawling away on his own, the relief was so great. Some of the boys got drunk, but the majority just seemed stunned as though they were afraid it might not be true.” [2]

We can imagine Bill also felt this incredible relief and overwhelming mix emotions on hearing the news that the war was finally over.

He returned to France shortly after the ceasefire and spent his last few months in the AIF as Battery Quarter Master Sargent (BQMS) – a non-commissioned officer responsible for the supplies or stores of the battalion.[3]

It was not until March 1919, that Bill left the battle-scarred landscape of France for Codford, England.

He was amongst the many servicemen who contracted the Spanish Flu whilst awaiting demobilisation in England, but Bill again was fortunate to escape this ordeal, recovering and returning to Australia on board the ship ‘Kangola’ which departed England on 1 May 1919.[4]

Bill arrived home to ‘Sunny Australia’ on 4 June 1919, disembarking at his old stomping ground, Fremantle. It was no doubt a bittersweet moment, with thoughts of mates who had not come home.

He carried with him many 'souvenirs' of the Great War which would remain with him all his life.

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[1] Beadle, WHD, WWI Service Record, https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/person/84173.
[2] Henry William Dadswell, The Anzacs, Patsy Adam, 1981.
[3] Beadle, WHD, WWI Service Record, https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/person/84173.
[4] Westralian Worker (Perth), Friday 18 April 1919, page 1.

After 18 months of service on the Western Front, having experienced several major battles with the 3rd Division, Bill was awarded the MSM (Meritorious Service Medal) in June 1918, with the citation:

"This NCO has invariably been employed on Ammunition Dumps during several heavy operations of last year, and shows conspicuous devotion to duty at all times. His work has been of a meritorious nature, and his initiative, ability, keenness and example have been of immense assistance in keeping up the ammunition supply under very trying circumstances."[1]

A letter accompanied his MSM medal, written by his comrades “In the Field, France”. It is signed with 24 names and reads:

"To Sgt W H D Beadle,
We the undersigned Gropers [Sandgropers is a slang term for West Australians] and Guildford comrades of No.1 Section 3rd DAC wish to convey to you our heartiest congratulations for having received the honour of the Meritorious Medal confirmed on you which we all considered you so richly deserved for your unfailing energy and devotion to duty. We are yours faithfully."

I would say that this document, having survived intact amongst Bill’s possessions all these years, demonstrates his pride in receiving such a letter from his peers – perhaps more than the medal itself.

In the following months, the 3rd Division fought in the Battles of Hamel, Amiens, Mont Saint Quentin and the Hindenburg Line towards the final days of the War.

It was in a village called Glisy, near Amiens, where Bill was involved in a particularly courageous act for which he was awarded another medal, the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal). This medal citation reads:

"He has at all times set a very high standard of initiative and energy in carrying out his duties. On two separate occasions he has saved ammunition in the dumps from being destroyed by fire caused by enemy shelling. At Glisy, a shell fell in a bay full of high explosives, exploding a number of rounds, and scattering the remainder over the road. Sergeant Beadle ran to the bay and after extinguishing the fire and satisfying himself that there was no further danger of any further rounds exploding he cleared the road and enabled a convoy of motor transport to pass. The enemy was shelling the vicinity of the dump during the whole of the period. On a second occasion at the A.R.P on the Bray-Corbie road the enemy open a very heavy shell fire on the dump. One shell fell amongst the ammunition setting fire to the charges and wooden boxes. Sargent Beadle was within four yards of this shell when it exploded but at once started to put the fire out by throwing the burning boxes over the bank into some water. Whilst doing this a second shell landed even closer to him than the first. Some other men came to his assistance and under Sergt Beadle’s direction the fire was quickly extinguished. By his prompt action and courage he undoubtably on this occasion saved a large quantity of ammunition from being destroyed…his courage and initiative have always set a fine example to the men under his command."[2]

In later years, Bill modestly joked about being awarded his DCM for “putting out a fire in a jam tin”.[3]

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[1] Commonwealth Gazette No. 110, 25 July 1918.
[2] Commonwealth Gazette No. 135, 11 December 1919.
[3] Oliver, Bobbie ‘Jean Beadle: A Life of Labor Activism’ UWA Publishing, 2007 p54.