William Paul Breen

Service Number
1032
Unit
43rd Bn
Date of Enlistment
12/01/1916
Date of Return
12/06/1919
Date of Discharge
05/09/1919
Date of Death
26/06/1937
Service Story

William was the 10th child of Patrick and Margaret Breen and a younger brother of Clement. He enlisted in Adelaide in January 1916 and stated that his sister was his next of kin, despite his parents still being alive. During the later part of 1916 he spent time in hospital in England with pleurisy before once again returning to ‘the front’. On 11 May 1918 he faced a Field General Court Martial charged with desertion—in that he at Ypres on 23 September 1917 after being warned for duty in the front line absented himself until apprehended on 28 February 1918. He was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years penal servitude. This was later reduced to 3 years and soon after was suspended allowing him to re-join his unit on 18 July 1918. His service record unfortunately does not give any explanation for his actions.

William Breen later returned to Tasmania. He married Beulah and together they had two sons William passed away on 25 June 1937 and is buried in the same grave as his brother Clement.

Grave and
Plaque Images
Unveiling
Details
Number
Date
Cemetery
Carr Villa Launceston
Burial Reference
A4-208