Throughout 2015, to mark the centenary of the year of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, Revive will be publishing a series of articles highlighting the men who provided chaplaincy to those who served in WWI.
Rev William Floyd Shannon OBE BE BA was born on 16 April 1872 in Armagh NI and was educated at the Royal University, Ireland. In 1902, he was inducted into the Presbyterian charge at Leederville WA and also served in Helena Vale, Geraldton and Maylands.
On 20 September 1915, he joined the Australian Army as chaplain colonel, senior Presbyterian chaplain and on 1 November 1915, he sailed to France on the HMAT Benalla A24. William served continually in France until 1919 when he was appointed senior chaplain for the Australian forces at their headquarters in London. In 1919, he received the Order of the British Empire for services rendered.
Rev Shannon returned to WA and left the army in 1920 and continued his ministry at Maylands until he moved to South Australia in 1921 and in 1934 he moved to Victoria.
Rev William Shannon died in Rochester Victoria on 6 May 1950.
Sheena Hesse