McCASKER, William Carr MM

McCASKER, William Carr MM – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 166
RANK : Sergeant
UNIT : 42nd Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 8/11/1915
AGE : 31
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Brisbane, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Goondiwindi, Queensland
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Pipe Moulder
DATE OF DEATH : 4/07/1917
PLACE OF BURIAL :

MEMORIALS : Yelarbon War Memorial, Yelarbon Roll of Honour, Goondiwindi War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Menin Gate Memorial

View Veteran’s Service File : McCASKER, William Carr

NOTES :  William was the eldest of eight children born to William and Annie McCasker of Goondiwindi. His wife was Stella Alice McCasker.

William and his younger brother Charles McCasker 173 enlisted in early November 1915 and both men were assigned to the 42nd Battalion. Their cousin Ernest William McCasker 2291 of Daymar, served with the 11th Depot Battalion.

Rising through the ranks quickly, William went from a Private to Temporary Sergeant within a two-year period. Posted to France in November 1916, William was wounded in action three times.

His cousin Ernest died of illness on 9 April 1916 while stationed in Brisbane, whilst his younger brother Charles was reported missing in action on 3 July 1917, but unfortunately, he was later declared killed in action.

On his service file, William has documentation showing he was awarded the Military Medal after being nominated by his Corps Commander. The citation reads:

On the morning of July 31st 1917 during an advance East of Messines this NCO was in charge of a platoon. His platoon was held up by Machine Gun fire from a shell hole about 20 feet in front.

In the attempt to rush the position, the platoon was stopped by wire, but the Corpl forced his way through alone. He threw a bomb into the garrison, killing two and wounding several, the remainder surrendering with their gun intact before the platoon arrived. His actions throughout were characterised by coolness, dash, and determination.

William was killed in action in the field in Belgium on 4 October 1917.

On Monday 19 November 1917, the Darling Downs Gazette reported:

News has been received at Goondiwindi that William Carr McCasker has been killed in action. Only last week word was received that he had been awarded the Military Medal. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. McCasker, of Goondiwindi, who have already had a son posted as missing.

What a tragedy for the two McCasker families.

Copyright 2026 Deborah C Wheeler and Duncan McLean, Southern Downs Military History

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