Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: William Beecroft
Service Number: 2249
Place of Birth: Napier, New Zealand
Date of Birth: November 1872
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Date of Enlistment: 20 January 1916
Age at Enlistment: 43 years 10 months
Next of Kin: Sister, May Elliott
Occupation: Grocer
Religion: Church of England
Rank: Private
Initially rejected as a recruit in New Zealand in 1915 due to having poor teeth, William enlisted in Adelaide and left for service overseas on the Karoola on 29 April 1916. He was hospitalised with a broken finger on 1 June in Cairo, Egypt. On 13 December William was hospitalised with malaria and debility. Even though he was able to rejoin his unit, the 9th Light Horse, debility continued to trouble William throughout 1917 to the extent that the decision was taken to have him returned to Australia on H.S. Neuralia on 21 May, where he was discharged on 29 October.