WILLIAMS, Walter Waldron
| Service Number: | 2030 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 June 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 18th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wallendbeen, New South Wales, Australia, 15 November 1893 |
| Home Town: | Gundagai, Gundagai, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 27 August 1932, aged 38 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Rookwood Cemeteries & Crematorium, New South Wales Zone C Anglican Section 10 Grave 5176 |
| Memorials: | Gundagai War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2030, 18th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Aug 1915: | Involvement Private, 2030, 18th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Aug 1915: | Embarked Private, 2030, 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Sydney | |
| 20 May 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 18th Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Walter Waldron Williams's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Walter Waldron Williams was one of five brothers who enlisted in the AIF. He was the son of Charles William and Matilda Williams of Parkes, New South Wales. His mother had passed away when he was two years of age. It seems he was adopted by a James Worldon of Gundagai.
Walter was measured at 6 foot three and half inches when he enlisted in June 1915.
Walter served at Gallipoli from 11 October 1915 until the evacuation of Anzac just prior to Christmas 1915. He suffered a gunshot wound to his thigh and back at Pozieres on 4 August 1916. He was evacuated to England for treatment. He rejoined the 18th Battalion at the front during March 1917. He was made a Lance Corporal and was wounded again during November 1917. He was sent to England early in 1918 and was admitted to hospital sick, still having problems with shrapnel in his lumbar region.
His youngest brother, 6853 Pte. Robert Miers Williams 35th Battalion AIF, was killed in action in France on 6 April 1918, aged 19. Walter had three other brothers in the AIF, all of whom were returned to Australia with wounds. Walter was returned to Australia during May 1918, due to his back wound.
The Gundagai Independent wrote of Walter’s return to Australia during July 1918
“Six foot five and a quarter inches of good Australian got back from the war yesterday in the person of Lance-Corpl. Walter Williams (or as he is better known in Gundagai, Walter Worldon, having been reared from babyhood by James Worldon. The person of Lance-Corporal Walter was accompanied by his brother Mr J. Williams, of Parkes, a returned soldier. The third brother is sleeping in a hero's grave in France. Lance-Corporal Williams was thrice wounded-first at Pozieres, then at Bullecourt, and lastly at Ypres. He is carrying a lot of shrapnel in his body - the doctors say it is too dangerous to try and shift it. Walter was at Gallipoli, and looks well, albeit thin, after his three years of fighting. He was accorded a public welcome at the Municipal Chambers soon after his arrival….”
The Gundagai Times reported in July 1918, “At the Council Chambers on Wednesday morning a public welcome was extended to Lance Corporal Walter Williams, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Worldon, who was invalided home, after being wounded three times in the great battle for freedom. The Rev. H. F. Champion was in the chair and extended the welcome, with five gentlemen also adding words of congratulations. Lance Corporal Williams looks well and is 6ft. 5 inches high.”
Walter passed away after an operation in a Sydney Hospital, during August 1932. He was 38 years of age.
The Cootamundra Herald 29 August 1932, printed the following obituary, “The death occurred, at Mater Misercordiae Hospital, North Sydney, of Walter Williams, 38, of Cootamundra. A railway employee, deceased went to Sydney and underwent two operations for war injuries received whilst serving with the 18th Battalion.
He married Miss Florrie Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Williams, of Cootamundra West Gates, and his good wife and three children survive him. The sympathy of the community is extended to the bereaved family.”
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