Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Text supplied by Chas Schaedel and the South Australian Aviation Museum History Group

Alexander WALD enlisted on 19 August 1914 at Morphetville, South Australia but his Service Record indicates that the enlistment was cancelled. He enlisted again on 10 December 1914 in Melbourne from where he embarked on 22 December as a Gunner in the Australian Army Service Corps (AASC) 301 Motor Transport Unit. On 14 May 1915 he sailed from Alexandria to serve with the 8th AASC on Gallipoli where he received a wound to his back on  28 June and was treated within the Field Ambulance for several days.

On 23 October 1915 Wald was attached to ANZAC Corps HQ as a clerk and served in Egypt until sailing from Alexandria on 22 March 1916 to join the Australian Forces in France. On 21 April he was attached to 1st Division HQ AIF as a draughtsman and there answered the call for volunteers to join the Royal Flying Corps. Posted to England on 8 November 1916 and admitted to RFC Officers Cadet Battalion, he commenced his intruction in aviation from 26 January 1917  at No.3 SMA Brasenose College, Oxford. He was discharged from the AIF on 16 March 1917 following his commission as a Second Lieutentant with the RFC.

Wald received flying instruction at No.39 RS RFC Montrose and No.98 Depot Squadron RFC Rochford and received a positing at No. 100 Squardon in France where he flew his first operation on the night of 25-26 July 1917. On 18-19 February1918 Wald and his Observer Lieutenant S M Duncan in a FE2b made a low level attack on the railway station at Trier, dropping two 112-pound bombs and phosphorous canisters and flying so low that the anti-aircraft guns were unable to fire for fear of hitting the town.

That incident was mentioned in the Gazetting of his Military Cross award,  which stated:

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He carried out a large number of night bomb raids on enemy headquarters, aerodromes and railways with great success. Many of these flights were carried out in bad weather and at very low altitudes. On one ocassion, though he had engine trouble and his radiator burst when he was over the enemy's lines, he continued his flight and bombed a railway station from 1500 feet. He set a fine example of determination to his squadron."  16 August 1918

After Wald completed his tour of duty in France he was posted back to Home Establishment in England. Unfortunately before the above citation was published he was killed in flying accident in England 11 August 1918.

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Alexander Wald was born on 19th June, 1893 at Petersburg, in the district of Frome, South Australia to parents Alexander & Esther Margaret Wald (nee Humphreys). 

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 30th August, 1914 at Morphettville, South Australia as a 21 year old, single, Draughtsman & Surveyor.

Alexander Wald, Service number 2773, was posted to Divisional Ammunition Column from 30th August, 1914 to 10th September, 1914 for recruit training.

On 8th December, 1914 Alexander Wald re-enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) at Melbourne, Victoria as a 21 year old, single, Draughtsman. Alexander Wald stated on his Attestation Papers that he had served for 18 months with Senior Cadets.

He posted to D.A.P. on 10th December, 1914 with the rank of Gunner.

Gunner Alexander Wald, Service number 1759, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Ceramic (A40) on 22nd December, 1914 with the 301st Mechanical Transport, A.S.C. (17th Divisional Ammunition Park).

On 14th May, 1915 Gunner Wald embarked on Franconia from Alexandria.

He was admitted to 4th Australian Field Ambulance at Anzac Cove (Statement of Service form & Casualty Form – Active Service both record he was admitted to New Zealand Field Ambulance) on 28th June, 1915 with a bullet wound in his back. He was discharged to duty on 1st July, 1915.

Gunner Wald was attached for duty to A.C Headquarters as Clerk to Br. Gen R. A. from 23rd October, 1915.

On 22nd March, 1916 Gunner Wald proceeded to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) from Alexandria on Bohemian. He disembarked at Marseilles, France on 28th March, 1916.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal with 8th A.A.S.C. (Australian Army Service Corps) (no date recorded).

Lance Corporal Alexander Wald was appointed to Corporal (temp) from 21st April, 1916 while performing duties as Draughtsman at 1st Divisional Headquarters.

On 8th November, 1916 Corporal (temp) Wald reverted to the permanent rank of Private on ceasing to be employed as Draughtsman at 1st Divisional Headquarters. He was on command at Royal Flying Corps, England from 8th November, 1916.

He was on command at Royal Flying Corps Officers Cadet Battalion from 14th November, 1916 with a view of subsequent commission in R.F.C. (Royal Flying Corps). Private Wald was on command at Brasenose College School, School of Military Aeronautics from 26th January, 1917.

Private Alexander Wald was discharged in England on 16th March, 1917, having been granted a Commission in Royal Flying Corps.

Second Lieutenant Alexander Wald was appointed Lieutenant with the Royal Flying Corps on 1st April, 1918.

On 9th April, 1918 Lieutenant Wald was posted to No. 100 Squadron. He was attached to No. 6 Brigade Headquarters then transferred to H6 Wiry on 1st May, 1918.

Lieutenant Alexander Wald, of No. 36 Squadron, based at Hylton Aerodrome, was flying a F.E. 13 Serial no. C4896 on 3rd July, 1918 when the tip of the propeller blade touched the ground on landing turning the machine first on its nose & then on its back. Lieutenant Wald & Flight Cadet Horsington were both injured.

He was involved in night flying on 11th August, 1918 from Ashington Aerodrome in a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E. 2b, Serial number 9793. He failed to recover flying position when spinning.

Lieutenant Alexander Wald died at 11.50 pm on 11th August, 1918 as a result of an aero accident.

A Court of Inquiry (No. 248444) was held – “The cause of the accident was in our opinion the machine stalling and diving into the ground, the pilot being killed, when machine struck earth.”

Newspaper item – Shields Daily News, Tynemouth, Northumberland, England – 14 August, 1918:

KILLED WHILE NIGHT FLYING

An inquest was held in a Northumberland town yesterday on the body of Flight-Lieutenant Alexander Wald, an Australian.

P.C. Robert Tait stated that on Sunday night he saw signals from an aeroplane, which immediately afterwards crashed to the ground in a field. When he reached the spot the machine was burning fiercely.

Flight-Commander J. August Boret stated that, in his opinion, the airman, when descending, had misjudged the distance to the ground, and failed to recover himself. Deceased was an excellent pilot and had done a good deal of night flying.

The jury found Wald had been accidentally killed while night flying.

He was buried on 16th August, 1918 in St. Andrew’s & Jesmond Cemetery, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England – Plot number N. U. 261 and has a Private Headstone. His death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Newspaper item – Newcastle Journal, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England  - 17 August, 1918:

AUSTRALIAN AIRMAN’S FUNERAL

The remains of Lieut. Alexander Wald, M.C., of the Royal Air Force, who was accidentally killed whilst on flying duty on the 11th inst., were laid to rest with military honours at St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Newcastle, yesterday. Deceased was the son of Mr A. Wald, of Largs, South Australia.

A service, held at the Jesmond Presbyterian Church, prior to the burial service, was conducted by the Rev. D. Fyffe.

The chief mourners were Mr and Mrs James Stewart, of Newcastle, and Mr and Miss Williams, Chester.

Amongst the floral tributes were wreaths from the N.C.O.’s and men of the R.A.F., “His English home with Mr and Mrs Stewart, 4 Govan Terrace, Newcastle,” Bruce, Archie and Robin, sons of Mr W. A. Allan, Grosvenor Place; Mr and Mrs Allan and Sallie, his Australian friends in Chester; Mr and Mrs James Stewart, Newcastle; the Victorian League, Newcastle and District Branch; and his father and mother, and his captain and officers. Another wreath was sent by “A.G.,” and “N.P.P.” for his mother.

The coffin was carried on a gun-carriage, and the firing party and band (Bandmaster Elliott) were under the command of Lieut. H. Easton, R.A.F.

A large number of officers and men of the R.A.F. were in attendance.

The arrangements were in the hands of Mr W. Britain, of Messrs Bainbridge and Co.

From The London Gazette – 16 August, 1918:

Awarded the Military Cross

2nd Lt. Alexander Wald, R.F.C., Spec. Res.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He carried out a large number of night bomb raids on enemy headquarters, aerodromes and railways with great success. Many of these flights were carried out in bad weather and at very low altitudes. On one occasion, thought he had engine trouble and his radiator burst when he was over the enemy’s lines, he continued his flight and bombed a railway station from 1,500 feet. He set a fine example of determination to his squadron.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/st-andrews--jesmond.html