William James Kenneth Ayres (1913 - 1998)

Born 8 Oct 1913 in Yarram, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

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Biography

Private William Ayres served in the Australian Army in World War II
Service started: 27 Oct 1939
Unit(s): 6th Division AASC AMN Company
Service ended: 23 Apr 1943

William James Kenneth Ayres was born on 8 October 1913 in Yarram, Victoria, Australia, the son of Therese Ayres and Robert Ayres.^[1]

27 October 1939, William enlisted in the Australian Army; Service Number: VX2081^[2][3]. He was assigned to the 6th Division Australian Army Service Corps AMN Company, attained the rank of Private, saw service in Greece, Egypt and Northern Territory, Australia and was discharged on 23 April 1943.

26 April 1943, William enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force; Service Number: 437583^[4][5]. He was assigned to the 1 Embarkation Depot, attained the rank of Aircraftman 2 but was discharged on 29 June 1943.

He passed away on 25 August 1998 and his ashes were scattered at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery^[6].

Research Notes

Possible marriage to Sadie Lilian DUNCAN in 1955

Birth, Deaths and Marriages, Victoria Online Registry. Event: marriages; Registration number 9633 / 1955; Family name: AYRES; Given name(s) Wm Jas; Spouse's family name: DUNCAN; Spouse's given name(s) Sadie Liln. https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history

Sources

1. ↑ Birth record: 36203 / 1913. BDM Victoria. https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history.
   (Name: Wm Jas AYRES); (Place: YARRAM, VIC); (Mother: Teresa Beatrice ARMISTER); (Father: Robt Wm)
2. ↑ National Archives of Australia: World War 2 records. Item details for: B883, VX2081; View digital copy; Title AYRES WILLIAM JAMES; Service Number - VX2081; Date of birth - 08 Oct 1913; Place of birth - YARRAM VIC; Place of enlistment - SOUTH MELBOURNE VIC; Next of Kin - BAILEY TERESA; Contents date range 1939 - 1948; Series number B883; Control symbol VX2081; Citation; NAA: B883, VX2081; Item ID 6219252; Location Canberra; Access status Open. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
3. ↑ Australian Government: Department of Veterans' Affairs. Nominal Roll - World War Two Service. https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=418394&c=WW2
4. ↑ National Archives of Australia: World War 2 records. Item details for: A9301, 437583; Request copy; Title AYRES WILLIAM JAMES; Service Number - 437583; Date of birth - 08 Oct 1913; Place of birth - YARRAM VIC; Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE VIC; Next of Kin - BAILEY THERESA; Contents date range 1939 - 1948; Series number A9301; Control symbol 437583; Citation NAA: A9301, 437583; Item ID 5545548; Location Canberra; Access status Open. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
5. ↑ Australian Government: Department of Veterans' Affairs. Nominal Roll - World War Two Service. https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1028552&c=WW2
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/244163108/william-james-ayres: accessed 15 September 2023), memorial page for William James Ayres (8 Oct 1913–25 Aug 1998), Find a Grave Memorial ID 244163108, citing Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, Greater Dandenong City, Victoria, Australia; Maintained by ! woowoo (contributor 49949980).

• Victorian Edwardian Index 1902-1913