Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918
Nolan W Pte 3201 William 23 Inf Bn 26 Gripman Single R C
Address: Kensington, Bellair St, 142
Next of Kin: Nolan, Eliza M, Mrs, mother, 142 Bellair St, Kensington
48 Salisbury St, Moonee Ponds by January 1923
Nolan's Allottee was Miss C M Nolan of "Marden", Tahara Rd, Toorak. This address is given in the Embarkation Roll.
Enlisted: 20 Jul 1915
Embarked: A73 Commonwealth 26 Nov 1915
Previous Service: 58 Inf Regt.
Date of death: 23/07/1916 Sgt 58 Inf Bn
CWGC: "Son of John Patrick and Elizabeth Mary Nolan, of 142, Bellair St., Kensington,
Victoria, Australia. Native of Corop, Victoria".
BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY
Mentioned in this publication:
Fallen - the ultimate heroes : footballers who never returned from war, by Jim Main & David Allen, 2002.
"BILL NOLAN DEAD REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN ACTION RICHMOND FOOTBALLER WHO WAS ADMIRED BY ALL"
Big, brave Bill Nolan is reported to have been killed in action. It does not need any superfluous words here to paint his splendid qualities. He was 25 years of age, but as I knew him first, only a few years ago, he was just a big, shy, innocent boy. It was after his last season with a junior team, and he had signed on to play with Richmond.
"He would stand around at times and listen to the talk, but it was seldom that Bill ever put an extra word in. But he was by no means unsociable. Once launched into conversation, he could tell, in his own quiet way, some droll stories, and no man that ever had him for a friend ever wished for a better one.
"His career as a League footballer was spread over only two years, but right from the beginning he was phenomenally successful. In his very first game he showed persistancy and pluck that are essentials in a follower, and it was seen that he was going to be a tremendous help to the Richmond side.
"As the games went on he continued to demonstrate his abilities and before the season had gone very far was one of the fixtures on the Richmond board. He played in every game. In the following year he was better than ever, and he was considered one of the best followers in the League.
"There is little doubt that with no war and with football going on as usual, Nolan, with the experience that he gained would have been the champion of them all this season. But when the war broke out Bill Nolan heard the call. He played in most of the football games last year, getting special leave from camp to do so towards the end, and soon after that came, he sailed for the front.
"Nolan soon won his way in the ranks and was made a sergeant. But in Egypt his abilities and popularity with the men won him further recognition, and he was in command of a section.
"Before me, as I write, are letters from Richmond boys who served with Nolan in Egypt. In them are such tributes that few men have ever had. ‘He is a real white man,’ writes Arthur Hatherly, one of the many Richmond boys who admired the make-up of Nolan. And he continues, ‘the boys here would do anything for him’.
"Every member of the Richmond football team had a respect for Nolan. So did every supporter of the team. So did the supporters of the other side. The smaller players admired the splendid physical strength of the hefty young giant, and turned to him naturally as their protector. They knew that Bill Nolan would never see a big man bump a little man with out himself giving one back. But he was a pre-eminently fair player. As fair a footballer as ever went on the field. He was so fair that it affected his game, and often the voice of the crowd has called, "Too fair, Bill Nolan". That was his characteristic.
"Those brave boys under him in the training camp on the burning desert in Egypt found out the same qualities in him — and they loved him for them. ‘The boys here would do anything for Nolan', Those words tell the worth of the man. "Physically, Nolan was a grand specimen of the Australian. Well over six feet in his socks, built in proportion, with blue eyes laughing out from his fresh-complexioned face, he looked every inch a leader, and men turned intuitively for him to command. He has played his part, and in the Heaven that is all our hopes it is such real men as he will find their best reward."
H.R, Richmond Guardian. No date In Fallen - the ultimate heroes : footballers who never returned from war, by Jim Main & David Allen, 2002
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War Service Commemorated
Essendon Town Hall A-F
Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board Roll of Honour
North Melbourne Electric Tramways and Lighting Company
Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours
In Memoriam
NOLAN.-On the 25th July, died of wounds re-
ceived in France, Sergeant Wm. Nolan (late South
Melbourne tramway), dearly loved youngest son
of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Nolan, 142 Bellair street,
Kensington, late of Mansfield and Kanumbra,
Rest in peace.
The Argus 12 August 1916
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1593262
NOLAN.-In loving memory of our dear son and
brother, Sergeant Wm Nolan, who died of wounds
in France at Boulogne Hospital on 23rd July.
May his soul rest in peace.
One of our brave Australians.
- (lnserted by his father, mother, brothers, and sisters.)
The Argus 23 July 1917
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1637753
No further Argus notices up to 1922.
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