Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Walter Woodward was born on 10 April 1891 in Fitzroy, VIC to Walter William Woodward and Alice Maude Lamble. Upon enlisting in the AIF on 7 July 1915, he stated his occupation as a printer living at his parents' residence at 835 Rathdown Street North Carlton.

He sailed on HMAT Nestor with the 11th reinforcements of the 8th Aust Inf Bn and disembarked in Egypt, where he joined the 2nd Training Battalion. On 26 February 1916, he was assigned to the 59th Aust Inf Bn at Tel El Kebir. However, on 3 March, he transferred to the 5th Australian Pioneer Battalion upon its establishment. Typically, individuals selected for the pioneers possessed trade qualifications from their civilian occupations. Over the next three months, they underwent training before departing for France on 19 June and arriving in Marseille. After traveling by train to Hazebrouck, the 5th Pioneers established their camp near Bae St Maur. Their initial tasks on the front line involved laying telephone cables and constructing railway lines. They participated in their first significant battle at Fromelles on 19 July, providing support to the infantry. On 5 September, Woodward was appointed as an acting Cpl. This appointment was officially confirmed at Longueval on 6 November, following Corporal Callaghan being wounded. By 2 December, they were stationed near Waterlot Farm, where they were occupied with laying duckboards in trenches and digging saps.

On 2 March 1917, he was transferred to a Pioneer Training Battalion and sent back to the UK, where he proceeded to the school of instruction at Candahar Barracks in Tidworth. After fulfilling his duties in a training capacity, Woodward departed from France on 25 June and reported to the 5th Australian Division Base Depot. He rejoined the battalion on 19 July and was promoted to L/Sgt on 3 August, followed by Sgt on 1 September. He was granted leave to the UK from 11 March 1918 until 27 March. On 17 August, he was cited for gallantry on the nights of 28/29 and 29/30 July and there is a handwritten recommendation in his service record that states:

Congratulated for his valuable services in the supervision of the digging of a trench on nights 28/29 July 1918 and 29/30 July 1918. Whilst assisting in digging, he sprung a buried grenade with his pick, but without hesitation he shoveled it out of the sap and by shouting a warning to his comrades, enabled all to get down in the trench, thus saving casualties.[1]

This act of gallantry led to him being awarded a Divisional Commendation which was listed in his service record dated 7 January 1919. On the 17 April he returned to England to the base depot at Weymouth.

After embarking on HMAT Beltana for Australia on 2 June his appointment in the AIF was terminated in Melbourne VIC on 19 July. In 1924, he was recorded as residing in North Carlton and working as a compositor. In 1938, he wed Marie Larsen and they resided at 71 Clauscen Street Fitzroy North, where he was listed as a printer. By 1963, they had relocated to Brunswick West. He passed away at the age of 72 on 6 February 1964 and was cremated at Fawkner Memorial Park in Melbourne. His wife is believed to have died in Eltham, VIC on 27 April 1989.

The medal group of Sergeant Walter Woodward, along with his Divisional Commendation, is currently housed in a private collection.

Awards:

1.       1914-15 Star

2.       British War Medal

3.       Victory Medal

4.       French Croix de Guerre avec étoile de bronze LG 7 January 1919 Page 317 (5th Australian Pioneer Battalion)

For bravery during the night 28 to 29 July in organising trench communications on newly conquered ground under fierce fire.[2]

[1] AWM Record Search: Woodward, Walter Henry service record page 11
[2] Pour Le Merite French awards to Australians in World War One by Neil and Sylvie Smith.