Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Thomas Walton Grayson and Lilly Elizabeth Grayson, (nee White), of Central Wharf, Millers Point, New South Wales.

For more than a hundred years, he has been commemorated as one the Missing of the Somme on the Ypres-Menin Gate Memorial, but in 2020, his grave has been found in Belgium.

Son of Thomas and Lilly GRAYSON

Sergeant Walton R. Grayson, D.C.M., is one more notable hero to be added to the list-now numbering over 500-of those from this city who have made the supreme sacrifice. He is a stepson of Mrs. Grayson, of Stanley-street, and who was formerly known to many residents as the proprietor of Grayson's news-agency, Church-street. Sergeant Grayson was a native of Williamstown, but the family subsequently resided at Burwood before coming to Richmond eight years ago. The young man attached himself to St. Stephen's Church or England, and proved himself an earnest worker. Later when he was called by business to the Western District town of Penshurst became a vestryman at All Saints' Church there. He enlisted on October 24, 1914 in the first few months of the war and sailed on February 3, 1915, for Egypt. He served at Gallipoli from May 5, 1915, until the evacuation, and after a short stay in Egypt went on with the troops to France. Promoted Lance-Corporal on  September 20, 1916, his gallantry at last attracted official notice, and for great bravery in action on June 6 at Messines last year he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Promoted sergeant on January 25, he began the year auspiciously, but his great services to Freedom's cause came to an end on April 26, and the soul of Walton Grayson passed to a higher sphere. He was a Christian in the true sense of the word-a real man, and he proved himself a good soldier. Five of his cousins have served in the Australian army (one killed and one a prisoner of war), three in the British army, and one in the N.Z. army. Sergeant Grayson was 34 years of age, and several extracts from his cheery letters home have been published in the "Guardian." The same modesty that marked his actions in life was typified in his writings. He was one of the army who subordinated all thought of self and lived only for the country he loved. Himself unafraid, Walter Grayson could not understand the attitude of some other Australians. In his last letter home he wrote: "I hear that now all over Australia young men are too frightened to buck in and do their bit. We at the front are disgusted with them The few I know who have stayed behind will get a big bit of my mind if I have the luck to see Aussy again.'

From Sylvia Wickham and Fallen Diggers.

Sergeant Walton Grayson DCM

For over 100 years there was a grave in Ypres, Belgium belonging to an “Unknown Sergeant”.
In early 2019, out of the blue, came an email from Dennis from Fallen Diggers to tell us that they had identified that final resting place as belonging Sergeant Walton Grayson, my husband’s Great Uncle Wally.

Oh my goodness – never expected that! My husband grew up with the stories of Uncle Wally, son of Thomas Walton (TW) and Elizabeth (Lilly) and cherished step-son of Lillias - the son who paid the ultimate sacrifice on 26 April 1918, age 34, fighting for his country in a distant land.

Two years on and an email this week from the Unrecovered War Casualties – Army advised that Sergeant Walton Grayson’s headstone has been installed, delayed due to Covid but now in place.
Words cannot describe how grateful we are for the work of the Fallen Diggers! Thank you!