Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Walter Harold Reynell was born in Bendigo, the only son of Walter Alfred and Louise Reynell, of Barnard St.   His father was an Auctioneer at the Stock Sales at the Bendigo Municipal Yards.    Walter Harold worked as a Salesman/Auctioneer with his father at the office in Williamson street.   Walter Harold was educated at the Bendigo High School and, later, at Dr Crowther’s Grammar School in Brighton.    Whilst at school he achieved athletic success in high jump, running and boxing and was awarded a cup for the heavyweight throwing championship.     Whilst serving in the Senior Cadets he held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.     

He Volunteered at Bendigo on 2.2.16 and was sworn in on 31.3.16.   He was 19 years and 7 months old, 5’ 10” in height, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.   He was described as being of “heavy build”, with a slight hammer toe (i.e. the 3rd toe on his right foot).     He stated that he had previously been rejected for service on account of his feet.    On 11.4.16 he was appointed to the Reinforcements for the Field Artillery Brigade as a Gunner.   On 1.6.16 he was appointed to the 3rd Division Ammunition Column, No 2 Section, as a Driver.    He embarked for overseas on 27.6.16 with Service No. 24492.

He disembarked in England and joined the 23rd Field Artillery Brigade. (25.11.16)   On 12.1.17 he was selected to attend the Royal Artillery Cadet School at St. John’s Wood, where he remained until 5.7.17.     He embarked for France on 8.8.17.    On 2.9.17 he joined the 29th Battery of the 8th Field Artillery Brigade as a Driver.   He was Wounded in Action on 12.9.17, sustaining a Gun Shot Wound to his arm.    He re-joined his unit on 6.11.17.      

On 11.11.17  his unit was stationed at Hill 63, opposite Messines, Belgium.   Walter Harold Reynell was Wounded for the 2nd occasion, sustaining a Shell Wound to his right femur.     He died of the wounds received.

Reports of his death were later recorded by the Red Cross.     “Back a week or so from Blighty (after wounded).   He had only been with the Battalion about two days when we went into action at Hill 63 on Sunday November 11.   He was killed between 9 and 10 am by a shell, a 5.9, which knocked out five . . . .    carried to Red Lodge Dressing Station.   He died as we got there.   Had been wounded in stomach and the leg, was unconscious . . .  We were standing to for action.”

“Standing outside a dugout stray shell fell.”    (AWM.   Red Cross Files.)

He Died at the 26th Field Ambulance Dressing Station, In the Field.   He was buried in the Rosenburg Chateau Cemetery Extension at Ploegsteert, 1¾ mile SW of Messines.     His grave was later exhumed and he was re-buried in the Royal Berks Cemetery extension, Ploegsteert.    (Plot 2  Row D  Grave 50)

The inscription on his gravestone reads:

“DEARLY LOVED AND ONLY SON

OF MR AND MRS W A REYNELL BENDIGO”

“The Men Listed on the Roll of Honor, St John’s Presbyterian Church, Bendigo”: Larna Malone