WATERS, Walter Hetley
| Service Number: | 206 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Norwood, SA, 24 December 1892 |
| Home Town: | Renmark, Renmark Paringa, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Fruitgrower |
| Memorials: | Men from Renmark and District Roll of Honor Boards (4) |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 206, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 206, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Adelaide | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 206, 13th Machine Gun Company |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
Son of Walter Henry WATERS and Edith Laura Newton nee DOBBIE
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While in charge of two guns during an enemy attack, he caused heavy casualties to the enemy and, when the enemy rushed his position, he stood up and directed the fire of both guns. He covered the withdrawal of infantry and enfiladed a party of the enemy who had worked round to the rear. Throughout his courage, cheerfulness and devotion to duty were beyond praise.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67
Date: 3 June 1919
LIEUT. HETLEY WATERS, D.C.M.
Mr and Mrs. W. H. Waters of Renmark have received the good tidings that their son, Waller Hetley Waters, who recently was granted his commission on the field, has been awarded the D.C.M. Lieut. Hetley Waters has indeed brought honour to Renmark, his family and himself. His record is an enviable one, for in January this
year he received the French decoration Croix de Guerre, in May he earned the D.C.M., which is equal to the D.S.O. and second in merit to the V.C., while in June he was gazetted a second lieutenant. Congratulations to our hero and his parents.
LT. HETLEY WATERS, D.C.M., Croix de Guerre, (Belgian), returned to Renmark last Friday, after an absence of nearly five years in the military—he was one of the first to enlist from Renmark. In health tip-top, and in appearance every inch a soldier, Lieut. Waters is a striking figure. He was sent away with the original 10th Battalion in A Company, but transferred to the 50th Batallion in Egypt. Owing to an attack of pneumonia he was unable to take part in the Gallipoli
campaign—a fact he regrets— and instead put in three months in Hospital. He weighed about 9 1/2 stone then; his weights now is over 14 stone. Though be could not serve against "Jacko"; Lieut.
Waters had his share in France against "Fritz" and was only away from his unit a short while. The 50th Battalion did not claim him for long as he transferred again to the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, and while serving with that unit gained all his distinctions and his wound. He wears the ribbon of the D.C.M. with Croix de Guerre (Belgian) besides the Anzac red white and blue. In addition to this he gained his commission on the field. He has rendered conspicuous service
to his country and Renmark is proud of him and very glad to welcome him home. The wound was at the corner of his left eye but fortunately the sight has not been affected and neither is there any disfigurement. Mr. W. H. Waters has now both of his soldier sons home.