Veteran Story: Willie Exton was born in Lismore, NSW and was working as a labourer in Beaudesert, Qld with his wife Eva (Coolwell) and their young child when he volunteered in August 1916. Exton trained at Rife Range Camp, Enoggera and embarked with the 7th Reinforcements for the 42nd Infantry Battalion aboard HMAT Wiltshire in February 1917. Exton joined his Battalion in France in July 1917 when the 42nd was engaged in the Battles of Messines, and later that year participated in operations at Warneton, Broodseinde and Passchendaele. Throughout his service Exton was found to be AWOL several times - in May 1918, September 1918 and in March 1919. On the final occasion, he did not return from leave in London and there is little information on whether he actually returned to Australia, he was discharged as an illegal absentee in 1920.
