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William Dickie
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 09/07/1894 |
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Place of birth: Busby, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Profession: Mechanical engineer |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Sapper |
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Service number: 19513 |
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Enlistment date: 11/05/1917 |
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Enlistment place: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — 1 Division Memorial Working Party, Graves Registration Detachment (Last known unit) — Royal Australian Engineers, 1st Field Coy. |
Information about death
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Date of death: 01/01/1982 |
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Place of death: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Cause of death: Death post-war (unrelated) |
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Age: 87 |
Cemetery
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Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium Plot: North East Terrace Wall Row: Unknown Grave: 22 |
Distinctions and medals 1
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British War Medal Medal |
Points of interest 5
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) | ||
| #5 | Memorial |
My story
William Dickie was born in Busby, a small village in the Scottish region of Renfrewshire, south of Glasgow. He was the son of William and Helen Dickie. Before the First World War, he worked as a mechanical engineer for the Calico Printers' Association Ltd, a textile company.
In 1915, William joined the British Merchant Navy, which eventually brought him to Australia. There, on 11 May 1917, at the age of 22, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). After a short basic training at Liverpool Camp (Sydney), he was assigned, due to his technical background, as a sapper in the Engineers. Following further training at the Engineers Camp, Moore Park, he departed from Sydney on 31 October 1917 aboard the troopship HMAT A14 Euripides.
He arrived in Devonport (United Kingdom) on 26 December 1917. William was stationed at No. 3 Camp Parkhouse near Tidworth (Wiltshire). Between 7 February and 9 July 1918, he stayed at the Tidworth Military Hospital. After his recovery, he returned to his unit in Brightlingsea, where the Australian Engineers Training Depot (AETD) was located. On 4 February 1919, he was transferred to the Engineer Training Depot in Sutton Veny (Wiltshire).
After one year and 49 days in England, he left Southampton for France on 18 February 1919. There, after a few days, he was assigned to the 1st Field Company, Australian Engineers. Following a period of work at a Royal Engineers dump, he was detached to the 1st Division Memorial Working Party in Pozières. From 1 May 1919, he also worked with the Graves Registration Detachment, which was responsible for locating and registering war casualties.
After about five months and three weeks on the continent, William was granted leave in the United Kingdom on 11 August 1919, which was extended until his return to Australia. He departed on 22 November 1919 aboard the HMAT A60 Aeneas, arriving in Australia on 12 January 1920 after one month and twenty days of travel. A few weeks later, on 11 February 1920, he was officially discharged from service.
In 1915, William joined the British Merchant Navy, which eventually brought him to Australia. There, on 11 May 1917, at the age of 22, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). After a short basic training at Liverpool Camp (Sydney), he was assigned, due to his technical background, as a sapper in the Engineers. Following further training at the Engineers Camp, Moore Park, he departed from Sydney on 31 October 1917 aboard the troopship HMAT A14 Euripides.
He arrived in Devonport (United Kingdom) on 26 December 1917. William was stationed at No. 3 Camp Parkhouse near Tidworth (Wiltshire). Between 7 February and 9 July 1918, he stayed at the Tidworth Military Hospital. After his recovery, he returned to his unit in Brightlingsea, where the Australian Engineers Training Depot (AETD) was located. On 4 February 1919, he was transferred to the Engineer Training Depot in Sutton Veny (Wiltshire).
After one year and 49 days in England, he left Southampton for France on 18 February 1919. There, after a few days, he was assigned to the 1st Field Company, Australian Engineers. Following a period of work at a Royal Engineers dump, he was detached to the 1st Division Memorial Working Party in Pozières. From 1 May 1919, he also worked with the Graves Registration Detachment, which was responsible for locating and registering war casualties.
After about five months and three weeks on the continent, William was granted leave in the United Kingdom on 11 August 1919, which was extended until his return to Australia. He departed on 22 November 1919 aboard the HMAT A60 Aeneas, arriving in Australia on 12 January 1920 after one month and twenty days of travel. A few weeks later, on 11 February 1920, he was officially discharged from service.
Sources 4
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“Cathcart; ED: 11; Page: 21; Line: 4; Roll: CSSCT1901_188” (General Register Office for Scotland, Edinburgh (GROS), 1901 Scotland Census. Reels 1-446). https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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“Private William Dickie” (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), First World War Nominal Roll. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2186164 Sources used |
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“Sapper William Dickie” (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), First World War Embarkation Roll. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10397787 Sources used |
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William Dickie: First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Records, 1914-1920 (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455, DICKIE W). https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/ Sources used |
More information 1
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The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=78769 |