Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

A YMCA Assistant Secretary prior to enlisting, Walter Henry East  embarked from Brisbane aboard HMAT Rangatira (A22) on 25 September 1914, with the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, as 1645 Gunner East.

He was involved in the Gallipoli campaign, promoted to Lieutenant and mentioned in despatches. He was awarded the Military Cross on 4 June 1917, for "consistent good work and devotion to duty during the period 26 October 1916 until 15 January 1917". A Bar to the Military Cross was awarded on 18 October 1917 "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty".

On 5 October 1917, during fighting at Westhoek Ridge, Belgium, he was killed in action, aged 30. He is buried in the Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Source: AWM

Died in Belgium in 1917, Captain Walter East, M.C. with bar, formerly a junior teacher at School No. 795, Rochester, and a relieving teacher at various other schools.

He was born at Rochester on the 16th of August, 1887, and attended school and studied till he was appointed junior teacher at the Rochester School and then relieving teacher at several other schools. He resigned from the Education Department and passed the Commonwealth Public Service examination, and was then employed in the Correspondence Branch, G.P.O., Brisbane, for three years.

He then resigned and took up evangelic work, and was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Y.M.C.A., Brisbane, which position he held for about three years.

When war was declared, he was in charge of the work at Lytton, where the Artillery was undergoing its usual annual training, and he felt that he must enlist. Accordingly, he enlisted at Enoggera, Brisbane, in August, 1914, as a Gunner.

He embarked with the First Contingent, and took part in all the Gallipoli campaign until the evacuation.

He was mentioned in dispatches, and received his commission at the battle of Lone Pine, where, as a Corporal, he had lost nearly all the gun crew and held out against very great odds.

Later, he saw fighting on all the French and Belgian fronts, and for distinguished service in the field was awarded the M.C. in June, 1917. He was promoted Captain. Shortly afterwards, he was awarded a bar to the M.C. " for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his battery-commander and a subaltern were killed. he took command, showing most remarkable steadiness. He continued to command the battery until it was relieved from a very exposed position, displaying remarkable courage throughout. He set a magnificent example of fortitude and courage to his men."

This was a most strenuous action, and the strain told on him. He was given leave to England, and had only returned to France a week when he was called to a higher service, and buried in the peaceful cemetery of Reninghelst, Belgium, along with many of his pals who had also made the supreme sacrifice.

In the words of these who knew him best, his was a noble life lived for others.

Source: The Education Department's Record of War Service, Victoria, 1914-1919.