BACON, William Henry

William, known as ‘Paddy’, was born at Dungog NSW to Henry Bacon and his wife. His early school days were spent at Ross Hill Primary School, Inverell. At the time of his enlistment at Inverell in January 1916, he was a twenty two year old Labourer. William joined the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs becoming a member of the 33rd Battalion D Company which trained at Armidale and Rutherford prior to leaving Australia in May 1916.

His Battalion received further training at Salisbury Plain, England, prior to being sent to France in November. He was with No 15 Platoon, Lewis Gun Team when Killed in Action on 7 June 1917 at Messines Ridge. Private Bacon is believed to be buried near Ploegsteert Wood and his name is inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

At Inverell Private William Bacon’s name is inscribed on the Honor Roll and Cenotaph. He was one of the 215 men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade in 1919. Hi name is also recorded on the Stannifer and Old Mill Honour Roll.