William James Bracken (1882 - 1922)

Born 1882 in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Died 14 Jul 1922 at about age 40 in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

WW1 Lest We Forget. Service Number: 1675 Thank you for your Service.

William was born about 1882.James Bracken Caroline Read

William James Bracken an Anzac serviceman - Service Number: 1675 ^[1] Private William James BRACKEN, a 34 year old Labourer from Armidale, New South Wales, enlisted on 4 October 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 November 1916. ^[2]

He passed away 14 July 1922. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.

Sources

1. ↑ ANZACS born in Armidale, NSW
2. ↑ Aust Military Hist: Desert Column : Embarkation Roll

• NSW BDM RECORDS
• BIRTH BRACKEN WILLIAM 24758/1882 JAMES CAROLINE ARMIDALE

• MARRIAGE

• DEATH BRACKEN WILLIAM 11632/1922 JAMES CAROLINE ARMIDALE

• Sad Case of Suicide Returned soldier
• A young man named William James Bracken, aged 32 a son of Mr Bracken of Rockvale, died in the hospital at midday on Friday while undergoing an operation for a wound in the throat, self-inflicted the night before. It appears that the unfortunate young fellow had "been working for Colonel White -at, Bald Blair station, and came info Armidale, on the preceding Tuesday to stay with his aunt, Mrs. Bracken, of Donnelly st. On the night he committed the rash act, he had his tea at 6 o'clock, and afterwards retired to his bedroom. About 8 p.m. "the inmates only Mrs. Bracken and her daughter, Miss Alice Bracken, being at home—heard an unusual,noise coming from the deceased 's bedroom, and on Mrs. Bracken going to inquire the cause, deceased told her he had cut his throat, Mrs Bracken called to her daughter, to bring a light, and the horrifying spectacle presented' itself of deceased: sitting on his bed, with the blood pouring from A, deep wound in his throat and a blood-stain razor in his hand, Miss Bracken,with commendable presence of mind, took the razor out of deceased hand, and the next door neighbour Mr. Weller, was hastily called. Mr. Weller at once saw that the deceased , had indicted a serious injury on himself, -and the police and doctor were summoned.Sergt. Armstrong and Constable Waters and Dr Ritchie were speedily on the scene, add the latter ordered patients Immediate removal to the hospital. Though the unfortunate young fellow had lost a lot of blood, the razor had not reached any vital part, and he was able to talk and also walk unaided. In fact no vitally serious aftermath was expected but next morning, while the injury was being stitched up under in anaesthetic," Bracken suddenly collapsed and died in a few minutes, He was a single man and a returned soldier, and it is thought that his war experiences, coupled with a tendency to intemperance, caused him to self inflict the injury, which finally lost him his life. Among those who knew him be was well liked and respected as a hard-working young fellow, and the possessor of fine manly qualities , to all intents and purposes, another victim of the late war. The funeral took place on Sunday morning, the interment being effected in the local C. of E. cemetery. The Ven. Arch-deacon Johnstone Officiated and Mr. G. Piddington had charge of the arrangements.

• Armidale General Cemetery
• Armidale, Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia

• MEMORIAL ID 155363625 ·

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/155363625/william-james-bracken: accessed 08 October 2023), memorial page for William James Bracken (1882–14 Jul 1919), Find a Grave Memorial ID 155363625, citing Armidale General Cemetery, Armidale, Armidale Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia; Maintained by Gary (contributor 47454878).