Veteran Story: William Lorraine (1900-1966) was born at Hambledon, a sugar plantation located on the traditional lands of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people of north Queensland. He was working as a farm labourer when he first volunteered in 1915 but was rejected on the basis of his heritage, but in June 1917, after restrictions were eased, he re-enlisted and was accepted for service and assigned to the 52nd Infantry Battalion. After training at at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera he left Australia in October 1917 but during the voyage contracted influenza. Lorraine was admitted to hospital in England for treatment, but soon after contracted mumps, and later again influenza. Not yet 18 years of age, he was medically discharged having never seen active service and returned to Australia before the end of the war. Lorraine married Florence Anderson (1906-1945) in 1934 and continued his association with the armed forces, prior to and during the Second World War.
