BATH, Walter Stanley
| Service Number: | Australian Army Chaplains Department |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 December 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Major (Chaplain 3rd Class) |
| Last Unit: | 5th Australian Infantry Training Battalion |
| Born: | Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, 5 April 1876 |
| Home Town: | Sandgate, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Wesley College, Queen's College, Melbourne, King's College Queensland University |
| Occupation: | Methodist Clergyman |
| Died: | 12 February 1964, aged 87 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Citizens of Sandgate Honour Roll, St Lucia King's College WWI Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Dec 1915: | Enlisted | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Captain (Chaplain 4th Class) , Australian Army Chaplains Department, Australian Army Chaplains' Department | |
| 20 Jan 1916: | Embarked Australian Army Chaplains' Department, HMAT Runic, Sydney | |
| 20 Jan 1916: | Embarked Australian Army Chaplains' Department, HMAT Runic, Brisbane | |
| 20 Jan 1916: | Involvement Australian Army Chaplains' Department, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Jan 1916: | Involvement Australian Army Chaplains' Department, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 12 Mar 1916: | Involvement Captain (Chaplain 4th Class) , Australian Army Chaplains Department, 47th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières | |
| 22 Jan 1917: | Involvement Captain (Chaplain 4th Class) , Australian Army Chaplains Department, Infantry Training Battalions | |
| 16 Dec 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Major (Chaplain 3rd Class), 5th Australian Infantry Training Battalion | |
| 2 May 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Major (Chaplain 3rd Class), Australian Army Chaplains Department, 5th Australian Infantry Training Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Sue Smith
Walter Stanley Bath, known as Stanley, was born on 5th April 1876 in Bendigo VIC, the second youngest of 9 children born to his parents Reverend Henry and Jane Bath. He had 5 older sisters, 2 older brothers and 1 younger brother.
His education took place at Wesley College and then in 1899 commenced at Queen’s College, Melbourne University VIC. In 1901 Stanley commenced theological training and served at Mt Lyell and Strahan in Tasmania before moving to Queensland in 1902 where he served at the Brisbane Valley Church and then was stationed at Warwick in 1904. That same year he was ordained in the Methodist Church.
Stanley married Lilian Annie Pugh on 28th March 1905 at the Wooloowin Methodist Church in Brisbane QLD and was stationed at Cairns. The following year he was stationed Ipswich then to Nambour in 1909 and to Sandgate in 1912. They had no children.
In 1913 he was attending King’s College, part of the Queensland University Campus, studying Arts however his studies were postponed when he enlisted for WW1 on 16th December 1915 aged 39 serving as a Captain Chaplain 4th Class. He embarked from Sydney on HMAT Runic on 20th January 1916 and disembarked at Suez, Egypt, on 22nd February 1916. He was posted for duty as Camp Chaplain to the AIF Base Camp at Mena Camp. In early March he proceeded to Tel-el-Kebir Camp for duty with the ANZAC Forces and was posted to the 47th Battalion. Approximately half of the battalion were Gallipoli veterans and the other half were new recruits from Australia. Stanley embarked from Alexandria for France with the 47th Battalion on 3rd June 1916 on HMT Caledonia. The battalion entered the Western Front trenches for the first time on 3rd July at Fleurbaix and participated in the battles at Pozieres, Monquet Farm in July-August 1916. The battalion moved to Belgium during September-October to Proven NW of Poperinge and then to Ridge Wood south of Ypres. They returned to France to serve at Bernafay Wood in November and Flesselles in December.
In late January 1917 Stanley was posted for duty with the 5th Infantry Training Battalion at Rollestone Camp in England. He then proceeded to Tidworth attached to the AAMC Training Depot with duty at Parkhouse Camp and Bulford Military Dermatological Hospital from February to June 1917. In early June he was detached for duty to No. 4 Command Depot at Wareham Camp which moved to Codford Camp later in June and then to Hurdcott Camp in November. He was promoted to Chaplain 3rd Class on 16th December 1917 serving the remainder of the war in England.
On 5th January 1919 he embarked from England for return to Australia on HMAT Kanowna serving on duty on the return voyage. He arrived in Melbourne on 7th March 1919 then proceeded to Queensland. His appointment was terminated on 2nd May 1919 and in October 1930 he was placed on the Retired List.
Upon his return to Australia Stanley was stationed to the Methodist Church at Coorparoo in 1919. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1920 from the Queensland University. From 1922 to 1945 he served at 7 other churches throughout Queensland.
His other achievements include being Conference Secretary of Overseas Missions 1912-1913, Master of King’s College from 1916-1945, Conference Treasurer of Overseas Missions 1920-1924, Secretary of Conference 1926, President of Conference 1927, Chairman of District 1924-1930 and 1932-1938.
Stanley’s wife Lilian died on 9th January 1942 aged 72. Stanley died on 12th February 1964 aged 88. He is commemorated on the Citizens of Sandgate Honour Roll, King’s College WW1 Honour Roll and East Brisbane War Memorial in Mowbray Park.
Walter Stanley Bath was awarded for service in WW1 the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 26th October 2022.
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