Just Another Pair Of Socks

Melton District ANZACS

William Earnest RIDDELL

Personal

Born: 1 September, 1893

Birth registration: Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration No. 6815

Birthplace: Rockbank, Victoria

Parents: Joseph Riddell
Catherine Hardman

Died: 17 March, 1942

Place of death: Heidelberg Military Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria

Burial place: Australian Army Ordnance Corps Plot, Fawkner Cemetery, Fawkner, Victoria

Awards and Honours

  • British War Medal 1914-20
  • Victory Medal

Battalions

Australian Army Service Corp

Events

Enlistment

Regimental Service Number: 13849

Enlistment date: 5 October, 1916 Melbourne

Age at enlistment: 22 years 11 months

Address at enlistment: Post Office, Melton

Religion: Roman Catholic

Marital Status: Single

Next of kin: Father: Joseph Riddell

Physical Description: Height: 5 feet 9 inches
Weight: 171 pounds
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Fair
Distinctive marks: Scars on elbow shin and arm

Embarkation ship: Medic.

Rank: Driver; Warrant Officer

Return Date: 21 March, 1919

Return Vessel: Kildonian Castle.

Arrival at Australia: 7 May, 1919.

Discharge Date: 14 June, 1919

War Service Summary

05/10/1916 - Enlisted
16/12/1916 - Embarked for duty overseas aboard HMAT Medic
18/02/1917 - Disembarked at Plymouth
19/02/1917 - Taken on as driver to AASC; Parkhouse
30/08/1917 - AWL from 1200 to 1700, penalty 2 days pay forfeited
07/11/1917 - Proceeded overseas to France via Southampton
17/11/1917 - Attached as AASC Detail, Australian General Base Depot
16/03/1918 - Taken on strength 2nd Australian Division Training
16/03/1918 - Detached for duty with for duty 6th (Army) Brigade Australian Field Artillery
30/11/1918 to 28/12/1918 - Leave to England
06/01/1919 - Marched out to England for return to Australia
21/03/1919 - Returned to Australia per Kildonian Castle
07/05/1919 - Arrived in Australia
14/06/1919 - Discharged

War Service Commemerated

Life After the War

Names of wife & children:
Married Doris

Place/s of residence:

Occupations:
Grocer/Baker

Date of death:
17/03/1942 - at the Heidelberg Military Hospital; Reg. # 2590
Place of burial:
Fawkner: Plot: Australian Army Ordnance Corps

Other relevant information:
Offered his services for WWII
Three sons - Brian, Jack and Peter served in WWII, two in the RAAF and one in the RAN.

Sources

Australian War Memorial
Service Record