Name
William Henry Gartrell
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/11/1916
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
26th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DOUCHY-LES-AYETTE BRITISH CEMETERY
III. E. 1.
France
Headstone Inscription
ONE OF THE BRAVEST ONE OF THE BEST GOD GRANT HIM ETERNAL REST
UK & Other Memorials
Digswell House Australian Hospital Memorial, St John's Church, Digswell
Pre War
William Henry Gartrell was born in Charters Towers, Queensland, the son of Henry George and Rhoda Gartrell. Before the war he had served in School Cadets as Col. Sergt. Lt in Citizen Military Forces and had worked in public service.
Wartime Service
He enlisted on 2 January 1915 as Lt (Adj). He was 21 when his unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 29 June 1915. He served with the 26th Battalion, Headquarters and was promoted to Captain. He was originally mobilized for home defence but volunteered and was a member of the Germany New Guinea Expeditionary Force (according to his father). he was killed in action in Flers, France.
Additional Information
His father, Mr Henry George Gartrell of Aplin Street, Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia, ordered the headstone inscription: "ONE OF THE BRAVEST ONE OF THE BEST GOD GRANT HIM ETERNAL REST".
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
aif.adfa.edu.au
