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PIPER, William James Joseph
Personal Details
| Service Numbers: | 680, 680A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 September 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 21st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 1898 |
| Home Town: | Picola, Moira, Victoria |
| Schooling: | St Ambrose, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farm hand |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 3 July 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France Plot III, Row D, Grave No. 42 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Nathalia Rock and Chain Memorial, Nathalia War Memorial |
Service History
World War 1 Service
| 22 Sep 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 680, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 680, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 680, 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion, HMAT Borda, Melbourne | |
| 1 Sep 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 21st Infantry Battalion | |
| 20 Sep 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 680, 21st Infantry Battalion, Menin Road | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 680, 21st Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge | |
| 31 Oct 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Broodseinde Ridge, At BROODSEINDE on 4th October, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry as a Headquarters Runner. This Private was conspicuous for the brilliant manner in which he carried messages forward during the operations from 4th to 10th October, 1917. | |
| 3 Jul 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 680, 21st Infantry Battalion, SW to abdomen and leg sustained near Villers-Bretonneux. Evacuated to 4th Aust Field Ambulance where he died of wounds later the same day. | |
| 3 Jul 1918: | Involvement Private, 680A, 21st Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 680A awm_unit: 21st Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1918-07-03 |
Personal Stories
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
William Piper died in the 4th Australian Field Ambulance after suffering shrapnel wounds to the abdomen.
At just 19 years of age he won the Military Medal at Broodseinde 'For conspicuous gallantry as a Headquarters Runner. This Private was conspicuous for the brilliant manner in which he carried messages forward during the operations from 4th to 10th October, 1917. In spite of many casualties amonst his comrades he was always ready for a run under the most severe conditions. on several occasions he carried urgent messages to the front line through almost impassable barrages.'
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