GALVIN, William John

William was one of the First Contingent of the Kurrajongs. He was living at Oakwood, north of Inverell, when as a 21 year old single man he enlisted for service during World War 1.  He was one of eleven men who came forward at a recruiting meeting held at Oakwood during October 1915.

As a member of the 33rd Battalion, D Company, he left Australia on the ship HMAT A74 Marathon in May 1916 and trained at Salisbury Plain in England.

He served in France where in October 1917 he received a gunshot wound to his back and was invalided to England for treatment at Norfolk War Hospital. When he was well enough William rejoined his unit in France. Soon after this he was gassed and had to be sent to hospital in England again. Three months later he returned to his unti in France. Private William Galvin came home to Australia in July 1919.

During the Second World War, he enlisted again, serving in Australia from 1940 until November 1945, spending some of this time working in Townsville, Queensland. After the War he returned to Inverell to live.

This family photograph is believed to have been taken c1916 and shows William with his Mother, Stepfather and Stepbrother.

Private Galvin's name is among those recorded on both the Oakwood and Inverell Honor Rolls.

Photo: Private Collection