Copy of William Heron's Will

3rd Battalion Dressing Station Shrapnel Gully

William Heron was born in New Seaham on the 2nd February 1891.

William Heron was the 6th son of Richard Heron, of Dryden Place, New York, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and his wife Ada, daughter of Amos Wright.

His physical description was given as 5 feet 4 inches, 10 stone 13 lbs, brown eyes with dark brown hair.

William was educated at Seaham, and was a Miner by Trade.

He had been in the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry for three years, but had deserted, possibly the reason he emigrated to Australia, and was in the Special Reserve. He emigrated to Australia in 1913 and settled at Freemantle, Western Australia.

William volunteered on the outbreak of war and enlisted at Liverpool in New South Wales on the 27th October 1914, as a private. He was promoted to a Sergeant on the 1st March 1915, not confirmed until the 23rd June 1915. However, he reverted back to a Private on the 31st May 1915.

William was in the 4th Wave of re-inforcements for the 3rd Battalion and left for Egypt on the 17th March 1915 and went to the Dardanelles in about July.

He was severely wounded with gun shot wounds to his left shoulder and his thigh, also wounds to the abdomen (peritonitis had set in), and was taken on board the Hospital Ship S.S. Delta, where he died at sea, on the 11th August 1915. He was unmarried.William was buried at sea.

His personal effects which were sent to his father consisted of a Testament, Note-Book, Fountain Pen, Disc, Knife and chain, Coin, Letters and a Photo.

William's father was residing at 21 Brooklands Terrace, New York, Backworth, Northumberland.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

Photo: Imperial War Museum. Bean Charles 1915-04-26

William Heron is remembered at New York on N53.02 and N53.03

Lone Pine Cemetery
Australian WW1 Service Record
Th CWGC entry for Sergeant Heron