1724 Private William Cleave Carstairs – Lakes Entrance Died of illness 18 October 1915

….. stood head and shoulders over fellow recruits

William was the eldest son of William and Alice Carstairs. The family was heavily involved in the development of the early fishing and tourist industry at Lakes Entrance. His mother, Alice, was one of the Evans family from Heyfield, hence their guest house became known as "Heyfield House" at Lakes Entrance. William Jnr was born at Cunninghame in 1892 and went to school there before following his family into the fishing industry. On 10 December 1914 he enlisted with the 8th Battalion and sailed on the Wiltshire on 14 April. Being over six foot tall, William literally stood head and shoulders over his fellow recruits. The 8 th  Battalion reinforcements landed at Gallipoli on 26 May taking part in the second wave and transferred to Cape Helles being part of the Krithia attack. William was transferred to the British Convalescent Camp in Mustapha near Alexandria with influenza in June and returned to his unit by the end of the month. He was involved in attacks during the August offensive. He reported sick with dysentery on 16 September and was transferred to Mudros for care. His family were told he was dangerously ill and after three weeks he died at No.3 Australian General Hospital at Mudros West on 18 October and was buried at the Portianos Military cemetery on Lemnos, Greece. He was 21 years old. His younger brother Victor Keith enlisted on 30 October 1918 but was not called up for duty.

No doubt Alice Carstairs treasured this image of herself with William.