Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Walter Thursby Winthrop was born near Box, in Wiltshire, England in about 1876, to Benjamin and Constance Ellen Winthrop. He attended Harrow School in England and was in the same class as Winston Churchill (Source: The Scottish Mail, page 26 18 January 2015).

According to the Harrow School Register (Longman, Green, 1801-1893), Walter left Harrow in mid 1893, to go on to attend Hollesley Bay Agricultural College in Suffolk - which was run by "The Colonial College & Training Farms, Ltd" (Source: The Land Magazine). As the name suggests, it was a college that taught young men about farming before they set off to begin new lives in places like Australia and North America. Apparently besides farming techniques, the students also learn farrier and veterinary skills to use in their new homes 'abroad' (Source: The Suffolk Punch Trust).

He emigrated to Australia sometime before 1897, as in the Queensland Government Gazette in April 1897, he was granted licenses to occupy grazing farms at Wigtown, Gayndah (Source: Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser 14 April 1897, p. 2.). He later became a Stockman / Jackaroo on Camboon Station, near Chinchilla.

He previously saw service with the 3rd Contingent, Third Mounted Infantry in South Africa during 1900-1901.

Walter enlisted again to serve his King and Country on 29th May 1916, aged a little over 40 years old. His occupation at this point was Stockman, he was working at Camboon Station, in the Wide Bay-Burnett region of Queensland. Henominated his mother, Constance Winthrop (address listed as Ashford, Kent, England) as his next of kin. He listed his place of birth as 'near Box', Wiltshire, England and he served with the 7th Reinforcements, 52nd Battalion, AIF.

Walter's brother Neville Everleigh Winthrop, had also emigrated to Australia at some point, as both brothers enlisted for service in the AIF during the First World War. Sadly, both brothers were to die young - Walter was killed in action in France on 7 June 1917 and his brother died 28 June 1919.

Walter is remembered at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 7 - 17 - 23 - 25 - 27 - 29 - 31.

Walter Thursby Winthrop was born in Wiltshire, England in about 1876. He attended Harrow School in England and was in the same class as Winston Churchill (Source: The Scottish Mail, page 26 18 January 2015).

He emigrated to Australia sometime before 1897, as in the Queensland Government Gazette in April 1897, he was granted licenses to occupy grazing farms at Wigtown, Gayndah (Source: Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser 14 April 1897, p. 2.). He later became a Stockman / Jackaroo on Camboon Station, near Chinchilla.

He signed up to 'do his duty' and was part of the Third Contingent 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry under Major W. H. Tunbridge, that embarked aboard the "Duke of Portland" on 1st March 1900. The entire contingent were praised for their bravery and devotion to duty, during some particularly brutal exchanges and harsh conditions. The Contigent departed for home on 9th May 1901 in the transport "Morayshire" and were disbanded on 21st June 1901.

Walter's brother Neville Everleigh Winthrop, had also emigrated to Australia at some point, as both brothers enlisted for service in the AIF during the First World War. Sadly, both brothers were to die young - Walter was killed in action on 7 June 1917 and his brother died 28 June 1919.