William James Trahair was born in Ballarat and was a Tile Maker by trade when he enlisted in the 3rd General (Victorian) Reinforcements on 22 October 1917 at the age of 18. His unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board RMS Orontes on 5 June 1918. He had previously served with the 71st Infantry and trained at Broadmeadows, before being assigned to the 3rd General Service (Victorian) Reinforcements. He embarked from Sydney on the Orontes on June 5th 1918 and disembarked at Liverpool on August 11th. He marched in to the 9th Training Battalion and it was not until January 1919 that he joined the 39th Battalion in France. He returned to Australia on the Main and disembarked at Melbourne on October 11th 1919.
Tree No 3526