Billy - A Boy from Queenstown by Sandra Stubbings | PB

Billy - A Boy from Queenstown by Sandra Stubbings | PBThe story of Billy Gadd, a Tasmanian World War I boy soldier. Its not known how many under aged Tasmanian lads signed on for the Great War, but Sandra Stubbings great uncle Billy Gadd from Queenstown was one of them. He signed on in 1915 at just 16 years of age. Just three years earlier Billys father, Albert had been recognised as a national hero for his actions in the North Mount Lyell mining disaster. Sadly, Albert died in 1913, his death hastened

The story of Billy Gadd, a Tasmanian World War I boy soldier. 

It’s not known how many under-aged Tasmanian lads signed on for the Great War, but Sandra Stubbings’ great uncle Billy Gadd from Queenstown was one of them. He signed on in 1915 at just 16 years of age. 

Just three years earlier Billy’s father, Albert had been recognised as a national hero for his actions in the North Mount Lyell mining disaster. Sadly, Albert died in 1913, his death hastened due to the carbon monoxide poisoning he suffered during the rescue efforts. This left his wife, Henrietta a widow with eight children to raise. Billy was the eldest and was barely 17 years old when he was killed, beside three of his 12^th Battalion mates in the early hours of 14 April 1917 near Lagnicourt in the north of France. His short life was marked by hardship, commitment and courage.

 THE AUTHOR: Sandra Stubbings is a retired consultant, university administrator and secondary school teacher. Sandra holds a BA DipEd from the University of Queensland with a major in Australian history and literature. Billy – A Boy from Queenstown will be her first published piece and possibly the first published story of a Tasmanian World War 1 boy soldier.