William Frederick Hart was born in Symthesdale, VIC and was a Cordial Maker by trade when he enlisted from Ballarat in the 8th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement on 20 July 1915 at the age of 18. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 28 January 1916. Upon arrival at Egypt he was hospitalised with diphtheria. He eventually reached France in August 1916 to serve with the 58th Battalion, but by early December he had been evacuated to hospital in England suffering with Trench Feet. He returned to France in May 1917 but was slightly wounded in March 1918, then gassed a month later. On August 7th 1918 he was reported as killed in action and the sad news was communicated to his family. Some months later, however, his mother received two hand written letters from him, both dated after his reported death. This was drawn to the attention of military authorities and a Court of Enquiry was convened. It was able to ascertain that Hart had been mildly gassed on the day of his reported death, and taken to the 7th Australian Field Ambulance for treatment. From this point, no trace of him could be found and he was reclassified as missing in action. It was subsequently found that he was serving with the American Army at Honolulu, as Cpl. Earl Moore, and it is unclear when he returned to Australia.
Tree No. 2644