TELFORD William Alfred

About William Telford

William Telford was born in Perth in 1892 and was the eldest of three children to Jack and Ellen Telford. William grew up in Perth and attended the local state school.

Broome Connection

Bill was apprenticed to a Captain Francis, a Broome pearler when he was 18 years old. He eventually went into partnership with George Francis. Bill was in Broome during the outbreak of war, his attestation papers were signed by the Mayor of Broome, W. Clarke-Hall and his medical performed by Broome medical officer Alex Goldstein. George met his fiancée Flossie in Broome, and the couple married before Bill was posted overseas.

War Service

After enlisting in Broome, Bill travelled to Perth to complete his enlistment and Blackboy Hill Camp. He was assigned to the 11th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement. After training in Perth the unit embarked from Fremantle aboard the HMAT Itonus A50 on 22nd February 1915. Bill was taken in strength from the 3rd Reinforcements on the 28th April at the Dardanelles and was killed in action on the 28th June 1915.

Enlistment Details

Date of Enlistment: 23/11/1914
Place of Enlistment: Helena Valley, Western Australia
Occupation: Pearler
Age at Enlistment: 22
Service Number: 1648
Unit: 11th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement
Rank: Sergeant
Fate: Killed In Action
Place of Death: Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Turkey
Date of Death: 28/06/1915
Cemetery or Memorial Details: Shell Green Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey
Place of Association: Broome, Western Australia
Broome War Memorial: Sgt William Telford

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