William Eric Featherstone

FEATHERSTONE, William Eric- – – – SPC 1911

DoB:- – c1898, Eaglehawk (near Bendigo), VIC

Father:– – William Featherstone

Mother:- – Margaret Ann, nee Taylor

William Featherstone was a boarder from the Quambatook Hotel, Quambatook, located in northern Victoria between Bendigo and Swan Hill.

In the College Annual of 1911, it was reported that William saved two of his school friends from drowning in the Avoca River. For his bravery, the Royal Humane Society of Australasia entered his name on their roll of honour as one who -‘has earned the commendation of this Society’.- – – –

Service No:- 2633

Rank:- – Private, later Corporal

Unit:– – 57th Battalion

William Featherstone enlisted in the AIF on 30 July 1915 at Bendigo. He was 18 years of age, five feet eight inches tall, with a fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His occupation was horse trainer.

Private Featherstone embarked from Australia on 27 October 1915, and after being admitted sick to hospital on several occasions, marched out with the 57th Battalion to France in November 1916. He was made Lance Corporal at this time, and was again admitted to hospital in the field. He rejoined his unit in January 1917, but was readmitted to hospital in April.

After one month of recuperation, he rejoined his battalion, and in October 1917 was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In April 1918 he was wounded in action, but remained with his unit, in France. In August 1918, he returned to England and was detached to a training battalion. He undertook training at Bombing School at Lyndhurst, England for several months.

In December 1918 he was charged with the offence of -‘assault and battery’. He was tried at the Civil Court at New Sarum on 6 January 1919 and pleaded -‘not guilty’. He was fined -£2.

Corporal Featherstone returned to Australia on 25 January 1919, aboard the Ceramic.

The College could not trace William Featherstone’s movements after he came back to Australia. He married Charlotte Ellen and they had two children, a boy and a girl. William died on 25 January 1949 in Deniliquin, NSW, at the age of 51 years. The Argus newspaper announced –

-‘William Eric Featherstone died at Deniliquin after a short illness. Brother of Anita (Mrs McCullough of Warburton), husband of Charlotte (Lottie), father of Bill (ex-RAN), and Marie’.

William Featherstone was buried at Deniliquin Cemetery, as was his mother Margaret Ann and his wife, Charlotte Ellen.