Private William Starling
19th and 4th Battalion, AIF
Service Number: 3247
Born: 16 August 1897, Penrith, NSW
Died: 7 August 1916, Pozieres France
William Starling was born in 1897, the eldest son of William and Mary Elizabeth Starling. He was educated at the Penrith Superior Public School. After leaving school, Starling was employed at the Penrith Post Office as telephonist in charge. Prior to enlisting, Starling was a member of the Penrith Rifle Club. Despite being under age, Starling was keen to enlist and obtained permission from his parents and the Postal Department (who agreed to give him leave of absence) to enlist.
William Starling enlisted on 16 August 1915. He was allocated to the 7th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion. He sailed for the war zone on 23 December 1915 aboard HMAT Suevic, landing in Egypt on 21 January 1916. Shortly after arrival, Starling transferred to the 4th Battalion as a signaller. After several weeks training in Egypt, his battalion was sent to France. He went into action on the Western Front in early May 1916. Starling was wounded in the back on 24 July 1916 at Pozieres. He was admitted to No 10 General Hospital Rouen, and on 27 July was listed as being dangerously ill. Starling died on 7 August 1916.
On 1 August 1916, his family were informed that William had been wounded and was dangerously ill. On 15 August, the Starling family received word that his condition had apparently improved, only to be informed shortly after that their son had died at 7.25 am at No 10 General Hospital Rouen.
Memorial Details:
- St Sever Cemetery Rouen, France
- Honor Roll, Memory Park, Penrith
- Honor Roll, Methodist Church, Penrith
- Honor Roll, Penrith Superior Public School
Sources:
- National Archives of Australia: B2455, STARLING W J J
- Australian War Memorial First World War Nominal Roll
- Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
- Penrith City Library Biography files
TROVE:
- Nepean Times 11 March 1916, p8, Col. 3
- Nepean Times 2 September 1916, p4, Col.3
- Nepean Times 30 September 1916, p6, Col. 4
- Nepean Times 11 November 1916, p1, Col.3
- Nepean Times 11 November 1916, p6, Col.5
- Nepean Times 23 December 1916, p1, Col. 5
- Nepean Times 30 June 1917, p5, Col. 1
- Nepean Times 7 July 1917, p6, Col. 5
- Nepean Times 8 September 1917, p1, Col. 6
- Nepean Times 2 March 1918, p1, Col. 6