William Slade Vincent

10.3
Repatriation to Australia

William was advised by letter on 25th August 1919 that his request to be repatriated to Australia had been approved.

Approval given for Repatriation of William to Australia [81]

The Repatriation Centre at Morn Hill, Winchester sent a letter to the War Office on 7th November 1919 advising that William was allotted a berth on the “Orsova” to sail back to Australia.

William Sails on 22nd November 1919 on “Orsova” for Australia [82]

William had in his possession a Protection Certificate (Officer Repatriated Overseas) and his war service medals. The Protection Certificate was used as identification and showed his regiment, and other details which he could use as a reference for employment.

William Sails on 22nd Protection Certificate [83]

The “Orsova”, with 871 troops bound for the eastern states, arrived in Fremantle, Australia on 30th December 1920 and went on to land in Adelaide on 4th January 1921. [84] William was not on a list of those disembarking at either port. William left the ship at Melbourne on 6th January 1920.

After William arrived in Australia, the London Gazette of 9th January 1920 published his retirement from the army.

William is officially retired from the British Army 31st December 1919 [85]

------------------------------
[81] National Archive of UK – Service Rees UK - cord William Slade Vincent
[82] National Archive of UK – Service Record William Slade Vincent
[83] National Archive of UK – Service Record William Slade Vincent
[84] Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Monday 22 December 1919, page 4
[85] London Gazette 9-1-1920