William John Jeffries born William John Walsh

(Confirmed)

Born: 25 July, 1885

Died: 11 November, 1921

Biographical Summary:

No service outside Australia.

A horse breaker who enlisted in the AIF on 11 November 1916 as William Jeffries. His next of kin was his mother, Margaret Mary Jeffries (previously Walsh, nee Stapleton) of Harbour Street, Mosman. His age matches the NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages birth record of her son William John Walsh, born on 25 July 1885.

He embarked for England on 25 November 1916 as a reinforcement for the 1st Pioneer Battalion. He disembarked at Fremantle on 4 December and was found to be medically unfit due to epilepsy. He returned to Sydney on 30 December and was discharged from the AIF on 17 January 1917.

There are also three enlistment records for William John Walsh. The first enlistment was on 22 January 1915 when he gave his occupation as horse breaker, married to Grace ? He was discharged at his own request on 27 January 1915.

The second was on 28 May 1918 in which he gave his correct date of birth of 25 July 1885. He was discharged following a second medical on 3 June 1918.

The third was on 10 September 1918. There is no record of a formal discharge although his records show two periods of absence without leave and that he had deserted on an unstated date. The warrant for his arrest for desertion was withdrawn on 30 January 1919.

Henry Joseph Jeffries is his half brother. [JSB]

Recorded Names:

• William Jeffries
• William John Walsh

Service Number: 3470

Ranks:

• Held rank of Private

Birth Records:

• 25 July, 1885 in Mosman

Death Records:

• 11 November, 1921 in Woolwich

Address:

• 17 Harbour Street Mosman NSW Australia

Main Sources:

• First World War Embarkation Roll William Jeffries (Webpage)
• WALSH William John Service Number Depot Place of Birth Sydney NSW Place of Enlistment Liverpool NSW Next of Kin Wife WALSH Grace Enlistment 22 January 1915 discharge 27 January 1915 (Webpage)
• WALSH William Service Number Depot Place of Birth Sydney NSW Place of Enlistment Newtown NSW Next of Kin Wife WALSH Grace Enlistment 28 May 1918 discharge 5 June 1918 (Webpage)
• WALSH William Service Number N92047 Place of Birth Mosman NSW Place of Enlistment Sydney NSW Next of Kin Wife WALSH Grace Margret Enlistment 10 September 1918 (Webpage)
• MAN FOUND DEAD (Webpage)
• JEFFRIES William Service Number Depot Place of Birth Newcastle NSW Place of Enlistment Sydney NSW Next of Kin Mother JEFFRIES Margaret Enlistment 11 November 1916 discharged 16 January 1917 (Webpage)

Commemorations: