William and Vincent were the sons of William and Margaret Salmon of Staggy Creek near Inverell.
Before the War, William spent 5 years with the Australian Light Horse group at Inverell. He was a twenty three year old Grazier when he enlisted in Sydney in September 1914. After joining the 7th Light Horse Regiment A Squadron, he left Australia in December for Egypt on HMAT A33 Ayrshire. He served at Gallipoli from May until December 1915, then at Sinai and Palestine.
He was wounded in action in March 1918 and again in May when the decision was made to return him to Australia for medical discharge. He had been promoted to Corporal in 1915 and Sergeant in 1916.
After being awarded a Military Medal in June 1918, William was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty’ in July. (Commonwealth Gazettes No 95 and 110). Upon arrival home he was given a Welcome Home at the Inverell Council Chambers in October 1919. He died at Inverell in 1969.
Vincent was twenty one when he enlisted at Inverell in April 1916. He was one of thirty men farewelled at the Inverell Railway Station two months later. Vincent joined the 34th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement and left Australia for England on HMAT A30 Borda in October. He went to France with his Battalion in April 1917 where the following month he was wounded in the shoulder. The next year he was wounded again and transferred to the 3rd Southern General Hospital in England with a gunshot wound to his wrist. Vincent returned to Australia in September 1918. He died in 1987.
The Salmon brothers have their names inscribed on the Gum Flat and Inverell Honor Rolls.
Image: Sergeant William Salmon courtesy the Sydney Mail Newspaper 24 July 1918