Military History

Embarked Adelaide per HMAT ‘Ballarat’ A70 for Egypt 13.10.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 4th Brigade, 16th Battalion, 10th Reinf, AIF.
McHugh disembarked in Egypt with his Bn. He was taken on Strength with the 16th Infantry Bn. at Ismailia 5.2.1915. As part of the reorganisation of troops with a doubling of numbers, the AIF reorganised its Bns. The more experienced troops were split with the with new recruits. McHugh was transferred to 48th Bn at Tel-el-Kebir 3.3.1916 and then transferred to the 16th Bn. 24.3.1916. He joined the BEF at Alexandria and embarked for France 1.6.1916. McHugh disembarked at Marseilles 9.6.1916. The 16th Bn participated in its first major battle at Pozieres in July 1916. Much of 1917 was spent in trench warfare advancing on the Hindenburg Line. McHugh was admitted sick to Hospital with Diarrhoea 2.4.1917. the 16th Bn. fought in the trenches on the Western Front including at Battles of Pozieres, Bullecourt, against the German Spring Offensive, Hamel and the 100 Days Offensive (AWM 16th Bn.). McHugh was wounded in a GSW accident, which resulted in a bullet causing a penetrating injury to his left eye 5.9.1917. He was transferred by HS to England, admitted to Brook War Hospital, Greenwich 24.9.1918. McHugh was discharged to the Overseas Training Bde. Longbridge, Deverill 27.12.1917. He was moved to the Command Depot at Sutton Veny 30.11.1918 then listed for early return to Australia, invalided with accidental GSW to eye.
Embarked England for Australia per HS ‘Saxon’ 11.12.1918.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 26.1.1919.
Discharged 30.3.1919.
Final Rank Private, 16th Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Invalided with GSW injury to left eye.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Photos  Pozieres Battle Field June 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E05391
              Battle of Hamel. Australian and American troops dug in.1918. Photographer unknow, photograph source AWM E02690
              Brook War Hospital, Greenwich c 1915. Photograph source- post card Greenwich Heritage Trust

Information Source
AWM E05391. Pozieres Battle Field June 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E02690.  Battle of Hamel. Australian and American troops dug in.1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source Pictorial Collection Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll William A McHugh
AWM 16th Bn.
Greenwixh Heritage Trust. Brook War Hospital, Greenwich c 1915. Photograph source- post card Greenwich Heritage Trust
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, McHugh W

Lord Street, West Guildford, WA.

Associated Images