Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
William Heard, 22, was born in Devonshire, United Kingdom, and was a member of the Auburn Methodist Church. When he enlisted, in Bathurst on 21 February 1916, Heard stated he was a wood-machinist, but had not completed an apprenticeship in this or an other trade. He declared his previous military service as ’Two years senior cadets. Served two years in 39th Infantry Regiment. Currently in 40th Infantry Regiment.’
Unusually, Private Heard remained in Australia for eight months before embarking on the Ceramic in October 1916. This delay suggests he took some time to meet the requirements of the AIF.
After arriving in Plymouth, UK, in November 1916, Heard spent another two months in training camps on the Salisbury Plain before crossing to France and being taken on strength of the 45th Battalion on 18 January 1917.
Heard survived the Battles of Bullecourt in France (April-May 1917). He then moved with the 4th Australian Division up into Belgium, as the division in reserve behind the 3rd Australian Division that would launch its first battle on the Western Front, the Battle of Messines Ridge.
Heard was listed as missing on the first day of the battle, 7 June 1917. A military court held immediately afterwards could not decide his fate ‘due to lack of evidence’. It was not until nine months later, on 21 March 1918, that a second Court of Inquiry deemed he had been killed in action in Belgium on 7 June 1917.
Heard’s foster mother, Elizabeth Moyes of Auburn Road, Auburn, had adopted William at age 11 months. She was granted a pension as Heard lived at home prior to enlistment and contributed to household income.
As his body was never found, Heard's name is inscribed on the Menin Gate, the great arch memorial to the missing in the town of Ypres (now Ieper) in Belgium. Four other missing Auburn Memorial men are named on the Menin Gate. Corporal Edgar Atkinson, Private Harold Everingham, Private Kenneth Smorti and Lieutenant Frank John Wilson.
William Heard is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Auburn Methodist Church First World War Honour Roll
- NSW Government Railways & Tramways First World War Honour Roll, Central Station (assumed)
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal
- 1914-20 Victory Medal
