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William Jones Griffiths - Information

William, a native of Brecon in Wales, migrated to Australia. He then made a life for himself in his new home. He eventually completed an apprenticeship at the railway locomotive sheds in Picton, becoming a locomotive driver. He married, and while he worked in Picton, his wife Annie and their four children, resided on Nelson St in Chatswood. Claiming he was 44, William joined up on the 4th of May 1916 at the Royal Showground Camp in Sydney. During training, he was allotted to the 10th Reinforcements, 30th Battalion as a Private. He then boarded the HMAT Ceramic leaving for war from Sydney on the 7th of October 1916.

William landed in Plymouth Harbour, and was marched out to the 8th Training Battalion. At the end of December, he left Folkestone for France. On the 25th of January 1917, he was detached to the 3rd Australian Division Headquarters. The following day, he began working with the 3rd Division Salvage Company. By April, he was completing duty with the 10th Field Company Engineers. On the 12th of November, William wrote a letter to the army asking to go home. He confessed that he was actually 51, and suffering with rheumatism and debility. He exclaimed that he was of little use at the front, and had a family at home that needed him. His request was approved, and he was sent back to Australia in January 1918 for a medical discharge.