Lehane, William
SURNAME
Lehane
NAME
William
PLACE OF BIRTH
Port Douglas
OCCUPATION
Miner
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT
Brisbane
DATE OF ENLISTMENT
1/06/1915
NEXT OF KIN
Mr Lehane, Ipswich QLD; S Phillips (sister)
LINK TO DOUGLAS SHIRE
Born
REGIMENT 1
49th Battalion AIF
REGIMENT 2
Machine Gun
RANK
Sergeant
CAMPAIGN 1
Western Front
KILLED IN ACTION
Yes, 5-03-18 ?
OTHER INFORMATION
13th Machine Gun Company in the 49th Battalion. Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal.
STORY OUTLINE
William Lehane was born in Port Douglas but moved to Ipswich as a miner before enlisting in June 1915 at age 22.
He was transferred from the 9th Battalion to the 13th Machine Gun Company in the 49th Battalion fighting on the Western Front. During the conflicts he was promoted from Private to Lance Corporal to Corporal then Sergeant in March 1918.
He was hospitalised with a wound to the right knee in June 1917 and wounded in fierce action in September 1918; he did not survive this, dying on 18 September 1918.
We do not know details of the action but Sergeant Lehane undoubtedly acted in a brave and self-sacrificing way - he was awarded the Military Medal on 5th September and the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 18th October 1918. Medals and effects were sent to his mother, Mrs Phillips of Wondecla near Herberton.
SERVICE NO
2636
