DERRY, William (of Newark)
1st Bn. Australian Infantry
Australian Infantry No.3286
Died 21 July 1916
Buried NKG Villers-Brettonneaux Memorial
Newark Advertiser 9 Aug 1916
Newark Herald 12 Aug 1916
Private William Derry was the son of the late Mr. F Derry of Newark. He attended the Magnus Grammar school in Newark where he won many swimming prizes. Also a prominent member of the Newark Rowing Club, winning the Marsh Cup and a member of the winning four for the Clinton Cup. After leaving school, worked for his brother, Mr R.I. Derry of Stodman Street. He always had a liking for farm work and for experience went to Mr R.J. Pratt of East Stoke. Subsequently he returned to his brother and finished his apprenticeship as a plumber etc. With the idea of following his trade he went to Australia five years ago, but instead took a farm.
When war broke out was among the first to volunteer at Cookamundra N.S.W. and with the 1st Bn Australian Infantry went to Egypt, arriving in February 1916. There he met many of the Sherwood Rangers from Newark. He sailed for Alexandrai to Marseille onboard “Invernia” in March 1916. Attached to alight trench mortar battery in June and was killed through a shell hitting his mortar.
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