The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Innes
- First Name:
- William Leonard
- Nick Name:
- Bill
- Rank:
- Sergeant
- Regimental #:
- WX9552
- Company:
- Headquarters Company, No. 2 Platoon Ack Ack. (replaced L/Sgt. C. Phillips)
- Enlisted:
- 4.12.1940
- DOB:
- 29.07.1919
- Place of Birth:
- Subiaco, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Robert Leonard Innes
- Mothers's Name:
- Edith Innes
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Labourer
- Memorial:
- Kranji War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row A, Grave 1, Age 22.
- Cause of Death:
- Killed in action, by a gunshot to the chest
- Place of Death:
- Hill 200, Ulu Pandan
- Date of Death:
- 12.02.1942
- Buried:
- Where killed at map reference 763132 by Major A. Cough Party 21.12.1942
General Description
Bill Innes was with 28th Bn Militia for at least 3 years prior to enlisting with 2/4th. Lt-Col Anketell, Commanding Officer of 2/4th was also with the 28th Militia.
Bill was a member of A.A. Platoon HQ Coy and was killed in action, receiving a gunshot wound to his chest at Ulu Pandan on 12 February 1942. He was only 22 years old. The Ulu Pandan action took place in the dark of night commencing at 2100 hours.
Read further about Ulu Pandan.
Bill was a talented all-round sportsman. He excelled in cycling, cricket and football.
Read about 2/4th Football team
Innes first played football with Mt. Lawley in 1932 and then transferring to live in Kalgoorlie. He distinguished himself for his all-round sporting ability. In 1937 he won the junior professional cycling championship of Kalgoorlie, both for the road and track. He also had a good season with North Kalgoorlie cricket club and was a keen swimmer. Returning to Perth in July of that year he linked up with his old club – Mt. Lawley and played consistently for the remainder of the season. Due to his brilliant form in 1939 he was awarded the Strempel medal, which was awarded to the fairest and best player for the season in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association. (Other East Perth players who won this award included Eric Sweet and Jack Clayton.) Innes played his first league game for East Perth on the 25th May 1940 and completed a total of 12 games for the season.
http://www.eastperthfc.com.au/news/12198/royals-in-the-battle-of-singapore
Back Row:- Con Ryan (Noresman), Mac McCaffery (NSW), Lou Daily (Capt, Subiaco, Vic, WA, Sandover Medallist 1935), Snow Hewby (Manager, 1921 carnival for WA), Ron Anderson (Swan Districts), Frank Clarke, Tommy Tompkins.
Middle Row:- Clive Helmrich (Swan Districts), Ron Badock (Kalgoorlie Miners, Norseman Tigers), Joe Pearce (Swan Districts), Bob Riebe, Cliff Spackman (Kalgoorlie Miners), Jim Dore (Perth & WA State Baseball)
Front Row:- Jack Ovens, John Smith, Jack Wheelock, Bill Innes (East Perth & Cycling), Harry White ( Swan Districts), Alf Mussman (SA & East Perth)
Read about the friendship of William Earnshaw
East Perth Football Club’s WW2 Honour Roll – Bill Innes and Alf Mussman from 2/4th are recorded.
