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William Carroll Vardy - Information

William was born in Campbelltown c1891 to Michael and Mary Ellen Vardy. He grew up in the area with his siblings in the family home of Ivy Cottage. After his schooling, William began working as a bank teller before war broke out. When he was 24 years old, he enlisted in the AIF at Holsworthy on the 21st of September 1915. During training, he was posted to the 30th Battalion and then the 13th Reinforcements, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade. He then embarked Sydney for war service on the 17th of December 1915 on the HMAT Berrima.

William landed in Egypt and was taken on strength to the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column, No. 4 Section in Cairo. Then in early March, he was transferred to the 21st Howitzer Brigade, 101st Battery at Tel-el-Kebir. A few weeks later, William was sent to France, disembarking at Marseilles on the 1st of April and transported to the front. He served on the Western Front throughout the Somme Campaign targeting enemy positions, and continued to work non-stop as the winter rains and snow started to fall. In early 1917, William started to feel rather run down. On the 21st of April, he was admitted to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station with tachycardia, probably a result of working with an artillery unit during intense bombardments. After receiving treatment at the 1st Australian General Hospital, William was sent to England in May, ending up at No. 3 Convalescence Depot. In April 1918, he was promoted to Acting Sergeant and was allotted quieter duty with the staff at No. 3 Command Depot. William served the rest of the war in England. He was then sent back to Australia from England onboard the Karmala on the 2nd of January 1919. He was lucky to sail home on the same ship as his younger brother, Leo. On the voyage, William and Leo were able to share their war experiences, going home to Campbelltown to their mother and siblings.