The Soldier's Details

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Short was residing Norseman working as a miner when he enlisted AIF 23 Oct 1940.  He later joined ‘A’ Coy 5 Platoon as a cook under Commanding Officers Walton and Learmonth.

Short was wounded in action at West Bukit Timah on 7/2/1942. Admitted to Field Ambulance with shrapnel wounds to buttocks, legs and arms. Transferred to 2/13th Australian General Hospital on 17/2/1942 and to 2/10th Australian General Hospital on 7/3/1942. Admitted to A.G.H. Roberts Barracks Changi on 27/5/1942 with an abscess to right leg. Discharged to unit on 28/5/1942. Transferred to No. 2 Convalescent Depot on 28/9/1942.

Bill was unable to leave Singapore because of the injuries he suffered during the fighting.

Throughout his life Bill lived with and suffered permanent disability to his right leg as a result of wounds.

 

 

Changi, Singapore at end of war.

William Short is featured in this photograph, however we cannot be absolutely certain which POW he is.  (Second from left?)  He never fully recovered his health and suffered continuing pain and disability his entire life with his injuries.

 

Bill Short was the eldest of about seven children born to parents James Lindsay Short and Emily Gertrude Head who married 1904 Bath Somerset.   Bill’s mother Emily died 1918.  His father died 1954.

Bill arrived from England in WA about 1923 or 1924.

Bill Short married Northam born Peggy Millington,1936 Northam. Peggy was one of five or six children born to parents Walter and Mary Millington.

 

In about 1918, Peggy’s parents divorced. The court awarded her father Walter Millington sole care of the Millington children. Peggy would have been about 7 years of age.

Peggy’s father Walter Millington died in 1952 aged 76 years.  He had served WW1 with 16th Battalion enlisting Jan 1916, Service No. 5143 – he was 41 years of age.  He was returned to Australia Jan 1917, he had suffered a GSW to his hand which resulted in loss of one finger being amputated.

In 1937 Electoral Roll Peggy and Bill are residing 27 Millen Street, Kalgoorlie.  Bill is working as a miner.

In 1943, that is prior to Bill’s departure with 2/4th he is residing East Fremantle at 40 View Terrace his occ. listed at AIF.  It is believed Peggy is residing Northam.

In 1949 Peggy and Bill living Waddell St, East Fremantle and Bill is a student.

In 1968 they are residing Palmyra.

 

He died 12 Sept 1985 aged 81 years at Booragoon.

Below: Grandson of Bill Short, Father Braden Short for many years hosted the services for 2/4th MGB.   Braden was much admired by the veterans, and loved by all who attended his services.