Before he went to war, William Breslin’s co-workers at the Redbank Colliery gave him a wristwatch. Tom Barker of the Queensland Times was asked to make the presentation, and the occasion was promptly reported in the newspaper’s pages on 24 August 1915.
According to the story, Breslin was the sixth man to have enlisted from the same boarding-house in Ebbw Vale and was a prominent player for the Ipswich City soccer team. Breslin had previously played for St Helens, Bundamba Rangers and Dinmore Bush Rats during a career which saw him operate in goals and in attack. He made several appearances for the Ipswich and West Moreton representative team, culminating in a 4-1 victory against the touring New South Wales side in 1914. Breslin’s form in that game saw him selected for the second inter-state game between Queensland and New South Wales, played in Ipswich. Queensland had won the first game, and Breslin helped them gain a nil-all draw to take the series.
Breslin arrived in France via Suez in June 1916 with the 49th Battalion but two months later was taken to hospital sick with “teeth trouble”. He returned to his unit in September but became sick again in October. According to his record, he complained about a pain in his heart. Other symptoms included giddiness and heart palpitations. Breslin was evacuated to England in November. His official diagnosis was cardiac strain, and he was declared permanently unfit for general duty, though only temporarily unfit for home service.
Breslin was sent back to Australia in April 1917 and discharged in July. A function was held in Ebbw Vale to celebrate the return of Breslin and fellow soccer-enlistee Peter Jeffrey. Local MP and early Bush Rat player David Gledson was in attendance. Gledson announced land had been purchased to erect a permanent memorial to Ebbw Vale soldiers. Breslin’s name was among those on the stone when it was unveiled in 1918. Many years later the memorial was moved to the St Helens ground in Ebbw Vale, now home to the Ipswich Knights junior sides.
Breslin returned to Ipswich City soccer club in 1919 when competition recommenced after the war. The same season he was selected in the Ipswich and West Moreton side to play Brisbane. He would later play for Ipswich Railways and Bundamba Rangers. In 1924 he was elected to the executive of the Ipswich and West Moreton British Football Association.
Breslin lived in Ipswich for many years and passed away in 1952.