William was born at Blakeville, VIC in 1889 to Charles Henry Platt and Annie Foss. William had a brother, Charles, who is also remembered in the Avenue.

William was a labourer and gave his address as Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF, 5^th Reinforcements, 7^th Battalion on the 11^th of January 1915, aged nearly 26. He embarked aboard the HMAT A20 Hororata in April, disembarking in Egypt some time later.

In June 1915 William joined his unit at Gallipoli. During the Battle for Lone Pine William was wounded - service record states, neck and leg, he states it was his jaw and side⁽³⁾ - and evacuated back to Alexandria, Egypt and then to England where he was admitted to the King George Hospital, London - while there he witnessed a German Zeppelin attack⁽²⁾. In January 1916 be embarked from England for his return home, disembarking in Egypt three weeks later and admitted to the 21^st General Hospital, Alexandria - gunshot wound to the chest - before embarking aboard the Suffolk, from Suez, a week later, returning to Australia in early March and was discharged from the AIF in late July. On the 21^st of July A PUBLIC WELCOME will be tendered⁽⁵⁾ at the Mechanics' Institute, Bacchus Marsh which he would probably have attended.

William died in Brighton, VIC in 1955, aged 66.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour.

Notes

1. In a letter he says he was a Corporal.
   His service record makes no mention, so he was either only an Acting Corporal or he reverted to the ranks when he was wounded.
2. The Bacchus Marsh Express 13 Nov 1915
3. The Bacchus Marsh Express 11 Dec 1915
   There is a description of his part in the Battle of Lone Pine.
4. The Bacchus Marsh Express 19 Feb 1916
5. The Melton Express 21 Jul 1917