BEWS, William Herbert
| Service Numbers: | 17586, N449853 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 September 1916, Maryborough, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Volunteer Defence Corps (SA) |
| Born: | Baroota, South Australia, 19 January 1890 |
| Home Town: | Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Schooling: | State School |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith |
| Died: | Natural causes, Boolaroo, New South Wales, 18 August 1968, aged 78 years |
| Cemetery: |
Newcastle Memorial Park (fmly Beresfield Crematorium) E G W 13/3 H/57 |
| Memorials: | Maryborough City Hall Honour Roll, Toowoomba Queen of the South Lodge, Toowoomba St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour |
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
William Herbert Bews was a "Sapper" in No. 1 Section of the March reinforcements, Australian Field Engineers, AIF and left Sydney on 10th of May 1917 aboard the HMAS Marathon. He was a Fitter and Turner by trade and worked for the Commonwealth Steel Company at Waratah NSW.
Lillian and Herb moved to Waratah (Newcastle) after they were married when he got the job at the Commonwealth Steel Co. To get back to Queensland to see family in Toowoomba and Maryborough they bought a Ford 4 Tourer. Off to Queensland with a lot of faith in his ability. At times they became bogged on the plains going into Toowoomba and all the adults had to get out and push - a friend going along for the trip took a step and left her slipper well and truly lost in the mud. They also had to push the car out of creeks and holes made by waggon tracks.
William and his son Noel David had the same office in the Special Steel Department at the Commonwealth Steel, Waratah. Lillian and Herb left Waratah about the time he retired and lived at Coral Point on the lake at Lake Macquarie.
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