Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918
8th Battalion football team. This team were 1st Division premiers of the Australian Rules competition in 1917, 1918 and 1919. 3317 Pte William Girdwood of Kensington is in the middle row, fifth from the left. Lt Donald Webb Kennedy (Battalion Sports Officer) is in the front row, third from the right. France 1919.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/H00562/
Girdwood W Pte 3317 William 24 Inf Bn 20 Apprentice carpenter Single Pres
Address: Kensington, Footscray Rd, 6
Next of Kin: Girdwood, Joseph, 6 Footscray Rd, Kensington
Enlisted: 2 Aug 1915
Embarked: A73 Commonwealth 26 Nov 1915
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Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiries Bureau Correspondence
Girdwood was killed at Pozieres on or about July 25th in the attack we made there. This was the first time we were in the trenches at this place. I saw him go down in the attack , and his platoon Sgt afterwards told me he was dead. I was making enquiries and the Sgt spoke to me on the supposition that I was a relation. I saw his name afterwards on the missing list. There is no doubt he was killed |
War Service Commemorated
Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour Wounded
Regimental Register