Font Size 16px
Bacchus Marsh
Avenue of Honour
Surnames beginning with [ ] - Results 281

Second Lieutenant William Sims West MM

Service No.:
2649
Unit:
1st Light Horse Regiment
Tree No.:
N275
Planted by:
Miss Minnie West (Sister)
Image of plaque on tree N275 for William West
See Notes (1)
Image of Military Medal Image of Service Medal - British War Medal Image of Service Medal - Victory Medal

William was born at Lake Rowan, VIC in 1885 to William West and Elizabeth Sims. William had two brothers, Charles and Norman, who are also remembered in the Avenue.

Photo of William West
click to enlarge
Description
Courtesy of
Alan West
Son of
Charles West MM

William was in Sydney, NSW working as a stock and station agent when he enlisted in the AIF on the 11th of January 1916, aged 31. He was allotted to the 18th Reinforcements, 1st Light Horse Regiment at the start of May, one day before he embarked aboard the HMAT A20 Hororata.

Members of the 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment - including William - formed up on the beach with their horses.
click to enlarge
Palestine, 1916
Members of the
1st Australian Light Horse Regiment
formed up on the beach with their horses.
William is second from the left
Courtesy of the AWM

After he disembarked in Egypt in June 1916 William marched in to the 1st Light Horse Training Regiment until he joined his unit at Romani in August. In November 1917 William was wounded in action during the Battle of Tel Khuweilfe. His actions earned him the Military Medal:-

For conspicious galantry in action at TEL KHUWEILEH [sic] on 3rd November 1917. This man although wounded in the shoulder and hand received on duty supplying ammunition to the firing line…. taking wounded to cover.

Source: Recommendation fro the Military Medal
Group photo of brothers, Charles, Norman & William West
click to enlarge
Brothers West, L - R
Charles, Norman & William
Courtesy of
Alan West
Son of
Charles West MM

After spending ten days at the 14th General Hospital, Egypt William rejoined his unit. William was promoted to Lance Corporal in May 1918 and then to Temporary Corporal in September. After ten days he reverted to Lance Corporal before again being promoted to Temporary Corporal in October. A few days later he was admitted to Cadet School at Zettoun, Egypt and became a Second Lieutenant in January 1919. William embarked from Kantara, Egypt aboard the Ulimaroa in March, arriving back in Melbourne in April where he took a boat back to Sydney.

William died at Burwood, VIC in 1965, aged 80.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Roll of Honour of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Bacchus Marsh.

Notes

  1. He was a Lance Corporal or a Corporal when the Avenue was plated and was appointed 2nd Lieutenant after the Avenue was planted.

Location of Tree Number N275

Map Options


Tree Position (accuracy ±1 tree) -37.68813097387865, 144.4750517677222

Learn how find this tree in Google Maps and get directions
  1. Copy the latitude and longitude located just below the map.

    There is now a button to copy the coordinates to the clipboard!
  2. Open Google Maps.
  3. Locate yourself on the map - not required on a moblie device.
  4. There is a search box in the top left corner.
  5. Paste the latitude and longitude into the search box press return.
  6. Press the directions button.

Related Links

Last updated by lee, Mon, 03 May 2021 17:20:58