ROWLAND William Joseph – Broome Anzacs

About William Rowland

William was born in Greenough, Western Australia to William & Amy in 1890. He joined the Western Australian police force when he was 23 years old, and was quickly promoted to a Constable 2nd Class. He served in Perth , La Grange, Broome, and Ora Banda.

Broome Connection

William was posted to the La Grange and Broome region as a constable in 1915-1916.

War Service

William resigned from the police force to enlist in the AIF in June 1916. He contracted measles while still at the Blackboy Hill training camp, but on recovery he was posted to the 44th Battalion, 4th Reinforcements. He departed Fremantle with his unit aboard the Port MacQuarie in October 1916 and arriving in Plymouth UK on 12 December 1916. He then travelled on to France per Invicta.

After only three days in the trenches of the Somme, Will was killed in action on 14 March 1917. He was buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, Lille. His brother also fell during the war.

Enlistment Details

Date of Enlistment: 21/06/1916
Place of Enlistment:
Occupation: Police Constable
Age at Enlistment: 26
Service Number: 2396
Unit: 44th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement
Rank: Private
Fate: Killed In Action
Place of Death: France
Date of Death: 14/03/1917
Cemetery or Memorial Details: Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France
Place of Association: Dongara, Western Australia, Australia

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Newspaper Articles

Other Online Resources

View William Rowland at the National Archives of Australia
View William Rowland at the Australian War Memorial
View William Rowland at Irwin District Historical Society Inc.