Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Private Walter Garrett (Service Nos. 1492/6923), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
see Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Walter Garrett was born on 5 May 1896 in Cairns, Queensland, the son of Walter Garrett and Emma Isabella Garrett (née Miller). He was among the young men who volunteered soon after the outbreak of the First World War, mobilising in August 1914 with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force. He embarked from Cairns for Thursday Island and later joined the troopship Kanowna, which was assigned to the expedition to capture German New Guinea. Owing to industrial unrest among the civilian firemen aboard the vessel, Kanowna was forced to return to Australia, and Garrett did not take part in the operation. This incident is often referred to as the Kanowna mutiny and is recognised as one of the earliest industrial disputes to affect Australian military operations. He was discharged in September 1914.

Determined to serve again, Garrett reenlisted on 24 May 1917 in the Australian Imperial Force and was allotted regimental number 6923, joining the 26th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service in June 1917 and disembarked in England in August, where he underwent training at camps on Salisbury Plain. In October 1917, while stationed at Rollestone Camp, he wrote home to his mother describing life in England, noting the improvement in conditions after moving from tents into huts, his relief at being released from isolation, and his anticipation of leave. His letter also reflects the realities of wartime Britain, including food shortages, air raids on London, the cost of basic meals, and the disruption of mail services by German submarines. He expressed concern for friends wounded in France and conveyed regular thoughts of his family and home in Cairns.

Garrett’s service records show that during late 1917 and early 1918 he experienced several periods of illness, resulting in repeated admissions to camps and hospitals in England and France and frequent transfers between reinforcement units and medical facilities. In March 1918 he was again hospitalised and subsequently assessed as unfit for further active service. He was returned to England and later repatriated to Australia, where he was formally discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 23 July 1918.

Following his return to Australia, he is recorded as living with his parents at White Rock, Cairns, and working as a farmer.

Private Walter Garrett died on 10 February 1946, aged 49, and was buried in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.