Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

Walter Somerville Ham, 8th Battalion, A Coy
 
Before the time when everyone had cars and telephones, a visit to the Lake and Botanical Gardens was a special treat for children growing up in Ballarat. Oh! how many of us have sat atop the marble lions at the garden’s entrance and had our photographs taken?! And, yet, how few would connect those lions to the beginnings of the city and a family of immense proportions? David Ham gifted those magnificent beasts to Ballarat, his adopted home, but his greatest gift was his quite remarkable family.

When David Ham arrived in the Victoria in 1849, he was ‘poor, friendless and unknown,’ just another Cornish immigrant. He tried his hand at farming and carting, worked the major alluvial goldfields during the 1850’s, survived a major bushfire by the skin of his teeth, suffered the sudden death of his first wife and, during those formative years, amassed and lost several fortunes. If ever one life could reflect the trials, tribulations and triumphs of those early years in the colony, it would be that of David Ham.

In 1856, David Ham married Mary Jones, a 20-year-old from Portadown, Ireland. The following year he built her a magnificent house in Victoria Street, where it stands to this day [now No 161]. “Wyvenhoe” was to become a landmark building in the area and home to the couple’s nine children.

Their youngest son – and eighth child – Walter Somerville Ham, was born at Ballarat on 13 October 1872.

Following an extended business trip to New Zealand, David Ham returned to Ballarat to find that he was, financially, ‘practically a ruined man,’ due to ‘misplaced confidence.’ His ability to protect his young family from such potentially dire consequences as he once again set about rebuilding his fortune was testament to the determination of the man.

Showing an amazing adaptability, David Ham branched out into sharebroking with the Ballarat Stock Exchange. His ‘indomitable perseverance and business capabilities,’ saw him quickly back on top. It also allowed for his continued philanthropy across the social layers of Ballarat.

The family worshipped at the Barkly Street Methodist Church, noted in Ballarat for the magnificence of its choir, and David and Mary Ham were leading lights in the church community.

Early education, it seems, was a private affair, and Wally did not attend any of the nearby State Schools. When he reached a suitable age, he followed his older brothers to Wesley College in Melbourne, where he was enrolled at the St Kilda Road campus as a boarder.

Whilst Wally performed well in the classroom, it was his feats on the sporting field that left the greatest impression and, during his time at Wesley, he was a dominant member of both their football and cricket teams. As a good runner, he also often figured in prize-winners on the track.

Wally was still studying at Wesley when his father was elected to the Victorian Parliament in 1886; he held the seat for the Wellington Province until the reduction of members, when he retired. He was a popular politician, known for his progressive stance on women’s suffrage.

After leaving Wesley, Wally joined his father as a stockbroker. He had his own offices in the Mining Exchange building in Lydiard Street.

The 10 February 1894, saw the re-instituting of the annual cricket match between the Sharebrokers and the Legal Managers at the Eastern Oval. With his reputation as fine cricketer, Wally was expected to perform well. He came in at second drop when the Sharebrokers batted first.

‘…Wally Ham came next and proceeded to sink a block hole, Foley, however, little heeded this, as in the third ball he scattered the batsman’s timbers for the unenvied duck’s egg. The Hon. D. Ham, M.L.C., sighed audibly…’

He quickly redeemed himself, opening the bowling from the Railway End, taking 7 for 29.

On 16 November 1897, Wally married Agnes Theresa “Tessie” Smith, the eldest daughter of John Cochrane Smith, noted Ballarat businessman and property owner. The Smith family lived at “Lantana,” the substantial home on the corner of Macarthur and Neil streets, facing the church.

The ‘very fashionable’ wedding had all the highlights of a grand society affair. St Andrew’s Kirk was decorated by Tessie Smith’s girlfriends – ‘two floral gates were held by prettily-dressed children, and conspicuous among the decorations were no fewer than 21 wedding bells, two arches, and the initials of the bride and bridegroom…’

Tessie, who was attended by her sister, Cissy, and her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Ethel Ham, was escorted into the Kirk by her father. She wore ‘a handsome gown (Parisian style) of rich ivory white duchess satin. The bodice was out square, with a beautiful front of silk net, embroidered with pearls, and finished around the nock with a prettily-worked row of pearls. A tiny basque, made of two frills of ribbon and a little folded belt finished the waist. The sleeves were racked with small epaulettes made of four frills of ribbon. The skirt had a square train from the waist, which was silk lined and elaborately quilted underneath, and was finished off with a pretty narrow pleating of ribbon, and a V inserted with ribbon at the sides. She wore a magnificent veil, beautifully embroidered with silk, and held by a diamond star, with coronet of orange blossom, and carried a handsomely-made bouquet…’
Adding to the impressive scene were the outfits of the bridesmaids; each wore ‘…handsome dresses of heliotrope bengaline silk, low necked bodices cut square, and veiled with chiffon, with fischus of the same material, and exquisitely finished with velvet of a deeper shade, with racked sleeves of chiffon without lining. They each carried pretty shower bouquets, and the former wore a handsome gold brooch, with pearl initials, and the latter a gold band monogram ring, the gifts of the bridegroom. The bride and bridesmaids’ costumes were made by Miss Lund, at Mr Geo. Crocker’s establishment, and the bouquets were supplied by the Misses Nicholls. The bridesmaids wore chiffon hats trimmed very prettily with plumes and violets, and made at Messrs John Snow and Co’s…’
Wally chose his brothers Fred and Hedley Ham as his best man and groomsman.

As was the custom, Wally and Tessie exchanged personal gifts -

‘…The bride’s present to the bridegroom was a handsome gold band monogram ring, and that of the bridegroom to the bride a magnificent diamond sapphire ring…’

Reverend T. R. Cairns, minister of St Andrew’s, performed the ceremony.

Following the service, a wedding tea was partaken at “Lantana” before a full reception for the invited guests. That evening, a grand dance was held at the City Hall ballroom to celebrate the marriage; it was said to have been ‘a most enjoyable affair,’ a great social occasion with a full report of dresses worn by the female guests appearing in local newspapers.
Numerous friends gathered to farewell Wally and Tessie from the Ballarat Railway Station as they left on the evening train for Melbourne. They then travelled to Sydney to begin their ‘holiday tour.’ The whole event showed that the young couple were remarkably popular, ‘so well-liked by a large circle of friends.’

The wedding presents ‘were exceptionally handsome and numerous,’ and, from an historical perspective, warrants perusal; as a snapshot of time, there can be few better lists. Locals will, no doubt, recognise many familiar names.

‘…Father of bride, cheque; Mother of bride, piano and house linen; father of bridegroom, cheque; mother of bridegroom, handsome china and gold hall stands; Miss Stewart, Melbourne, handsome diningroom suite; Mr and Mrs J. C. Smith, junr., tea service;
Miss C. Smith, purse and porcelain hand-painted vases; Master Smith, coffee urn and photo frame; Mr and Mrs J. J. Kingsbury, Brisbane, cheque, pillow shams and sachel; Mr Fred. Ham, cheque; Mr and Mrs D. Ham, Hastings, silver teaspoons; Miss Maria Ham, pictures, glove and handkerchief sachel; Mrs William Eyres, sliver pie dish; Misses S. and C. Eyres, Jam dishes; Misses S. and R. Eyres, drawingroom table; Misses E. and P. Eyres, silver and gold fruit spoon; Mrs X. Tindale, honey jar; Mr G. Baynes, Brisbane, hand-painted panel; Cr and Mrs C. B. Retallack, drawingroom clock; Dr K. Champion, fish slice; Hon. C. J., Mrs, and Miss Ham. silver salver; Mr Frank Ham, silver manicure set; Mr and Mrs H. P. Ham, silver mustard, pepper, and salt cellars; Mrs Ham. Brisbane, tea-cosy and tray cloth; Mr and Mrs W. T. Humphreys, marble diningroom clock; Mr Thos. Stoddart, silver-mounted carvers; Mr Frank and Miss Bateman, work basket; Mr Robt. Duff, set of silver-backed brushes; Mr David Clarke, spirit stand; Mr and Mrs T. Parker, drawingroom table; Mr Chas. Shew, Melbourne, set of carvers; Mr and Mrs W. Little, vase; Mr and Mrs Geo. Crocker, hall ornament; Dr and Mrs Oldham, Korumburra, dessert knives and forks; Misses Murch, teaspoons; Miss Ethel Trewin ornaments; Mr and Mrs Chas. Salter, flower bowl; Messrs G. and W. Murch, biscuit barrel; Mr and Mrs Edward Bailey, flower bowl; Mr and Miss Pinkerton, egg cruet; Miss McDonald, Melbourne, silver teapot; Mr and Mrs T. H. Thompson, silver cake dish; Mr and Mrs Stirling (Melbourne), silver hot water kettle; Rev. and Mrs Withington, silver cake dish; Messrs G., S„ and Miss Holgate, silver sugar bowl; Dr and Mrs Barker, salad bowl; Miss Griffiths, painting; Mr T. M. Antcliffe, bread, butter, and cheese stand; Dr E. Davies (Hillston), cheque and silver serviette rings Mr and Mrs Robt. Clarke, occasional table and ornament; Mr Harold Strickland, silver pickle Jar; Mrs McClury, seal mantle; Miss P. Bailey, tray cloth; Hon. and Mrs E. Morey, silver gipsy kettle; Miss Alice Morey, painting; Miss Rose Morey, silver butter dish; Mr Tom Bailey, set of ivory-backed brushes; Mr J. P. Marshall, silver sugar bowl; Mr Andrew Mclntyre, cheque; Mayor and Mrs Shoppee, vase; Mr W. Christy, silver egg cruet; Mr Arthur Phillips, tea service; Miss Ida Retallack, pillow shams; Misses R. and P. Retallack, table centre; Miss Jean Retallack, photo frame; Mr and Mrs Susman, table; Mr and Mrs Thos. Rogers, silver teapot; Miss Lucy Rogers, oil painting; Mr Morgan, cake dish; Mr Arthur Bailey (Melbourne), entree dishes; Mr and Mrs Oliphant (Bendigo), flower bowl; Mr and Mrs A. Pittard, flower vases; Misses Barrett, tray cloth; Mr and Mrs H. S. Barrett, afternoon teaspoons; Mr Rupert Barrett, bread fork; Mr J. Ashley, vases; Mr Frank Dale, desert knives and forks; Mr F. and Miss Wilson, epergne; Major and Mrs Bennett, boudoir clock; Mrs and Mrs Wittkowski, flower piece; Cr. and Mrs Heinz, crystal salad bowl; Miss Lord, ruby jam jar; Miss Ethel Sloman (Melbourne), fire screen; Miss Daisey Cohen (Melbourne), bronze ornaments; Mr and Mrs T. Skewes. cheque; Miss Goode, Glenthompson, tray cloth; Mr J. A. Chalk, J P., silver mounted writing desk; Messrs Chalk and Cahir, afternoon tea set on silver stands; the Commercial Club members, set of entree dishes and silver spirit kettle, Mr and Mrs Woolcott, travelling bag; Mr A. Parker, coal scuttle; Dr Gardiner, Melbourne, silver-mounted brushes and glass; Dr and Mrs Salmon, hot water kettle; Dr and Mrs Pinnock, travelling bag and sachet; Mr J. Bryant, cake basket; Mr J. V. McDonald, cheque; Mr and Mrs Henderson and family, Bendigo, silver-mounted toilet set in case; Mr and Mrs C. Wood, Bendigo, handsome plaque; Mr J. Graham, cheque; Mrs J. Harrison, cheque; Mr and Mrs. A. Bell, sugar scoop; Colonel Hacker, Melbourne, fruit spoons in case; Mr J. Cunningham, gong; Mr and Mrs J. M. Wise, Melbourne, handsome tall bronze ornaments; Dr Hedley Ham, toast rack; Mr and Mrs W. Flint, Melbourne, ornament; Mr and Mrs W. F. Coltman, vase; Mr and Mrs Stokerd, painting; Mr and Mrs S. Hain, Geelong, cabinet; Miss Lucy Munro, purse; Miss Chuck, tea cosey and mats; Miss E. Bailey. ornaments; Miss Amy Holgate, table centre; Mr and Mrs G. Finlayson, case of dessert knives and Victor Smith, silver mounted bread platter; Mrs J. Walker, pair silver candlesticks; Mr W. H. Valentine, silver lamp; Dr and Mrs Hodgson, silver Trilby spoons; Mr Geo. Perry, fish slice; Mrs Watson, boudoir clock; Miss Kitty Watson, sugar spoons; Mr and Mr. R. S. Bell, pickle jar; Mrs McWhae, salad bowl; Mr E, and Miss Mountjoy, afternoon teaspoons…’

After their honeymoon, Walter and Tessie returned to Ballarat, where they made their home in Macarthur Street.

Their first son, John Stewart, was born at Leura in Webster Street, on 30 September 1898. A second son, Robert David, was to follow on 1 May 1903.

During this period, Walter served as secretary at the Ballarat Stock Exchange, where he was a member for some years; he also acted as auditor for several local companies.

Wally also held military aspirations. He had joined the 3rd Battalion Infantry Brigade after returning to Ballarat from Wesley College and quickly became a familiar face around the Orderly Room. He was commissioned with the unit on 31 March 1898.

It was a lively, bustling atmosphere, with great attention paid to the training of a non-professional military force. The battalion also boasted a rifle club, a gymnastics club and their own brass band.

Patriotic fervour reached fever pitch as troops prepared to embark for South Africa and the war against the Boers. The 3rd Battalion proudly took part in the pageantry on 30 October 1899.

‘…The 3rd Battalion made a fine show as they left the special train that took them to Melbourne, and formed into companies outside the Spencer Street station. Lieutenant-Colonel Williams was in command, and with him were Majors Bennett and Adjutant-Captains Irving and W. Williams, Captains Nedwell and Bolton; Lieutenants F. E. Nicholl, O. L. Olden, F. J. Sauer, S. Coltman, W. Ham, D. Clark, H. Henwood, T. Anderson, A. Murray, and R. Dickenson; Surgeon-Captain C. H. H. Hardy, and H. Mitchell, Quarter-Master. Captain M. Lazarus was attached to the head-quarters staff for the day.

The battalion, with the band under Bandmaster Gray, at its head, marched up Collins street to Swanston street, and thence over Princes Bridge to the Engineers Reserve, in St Kilda road, and after lunch were formed on St Kilda road, making part of the line to keep the street clear. As the band of the Permanent Artillery came out of the barracks yard, followed by the contingent of infantry and riflemen, and the commandant and his staff, and the other troops, the battalion fell in behind and paraded the principal streets of the city with the procession.

Subsequently they were marched again to the reserve and dismissed. The marching of the battalion was very creditable, and along the route they evoked much laudatory comment. There were men on parade, which is only 15 short of the full strength of the battalion.

One of the officers of the battalion on his return described the scene in the streets as having been impressive in the extreme, the crowd on Princes Bridge was so great that marching in anything like military formation was simply impossible. The band instead of marching eight deep as is usually the case, had to force themselves through the crush in threes, and the officers had to get into the ranks to avoid losing themselves in the throng. Never before has the Union Jack been seen in such quantities, every second man or wo man bore a flag, whilst almost every one, without exception, was decorated with the red, white, and blue. The whole city was simply effervescing with enthusiasm. The Ballarat Battalion came in for enthusiastic cheering as they swung along the streets…’

During the South African War, the Ham family was represented by the eldest of David and Mary’s sons, David John, who served as a captain with the 3rd Victorian Bushmen. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Elands River, wrote numerous colourful letters describing his experiences and returned safely at the end of the conflict.

Meanwhile, Wally continued to build his own military credentials – on 1 July 1902, he was promoted to full lieutenant with Ballarat’s 7th Australian Infantry Regiment. This was followed by promotion to captain a year later. In all, Wally earned a reputation for being ‘a model and energetic officer’ who was ‘exceedingly popular in the regiment.’

Truthfully, Wally was very lucky to have made it this far – in April 1902, he had been on a shooting trip near Greendale with (then) Captain William Bolton, Lieutenant Allan Murray and Mr Harold Strickland. Searching for quail, Wally became separated from his companions. When he took a shot at a bird, the barrel ‘split in all directions.’ A ‘piece of the flying steel’ struck him in the head with enough force to temporarily daze him. Miraculously, he wasn’t hurt and was able to rejoin his friends.

Early in 1906, Wally purchased a seat on the Melbourne Stock Exchange. Announcement of his intended move from Ballarat was greeted with regret over his leaving and optimism for his future. Some of Ballarat’s most prominent citizens gathered at Craig’s Hotel on 5 February to bid farewell to the popular stockbroker.

Wally was to experience the loss of his parents in a short passage of time. His father contracted a chill whilst on holiday at Queenscliff and died on 3 January 1908. Just a year later, Mary Ham was also gone – she died on 13 April 1909. The Ham family was their substantial legacy – Major David Ham; William T. Ham JP, business manager of Brisbane; Dr Burnett Ham, Health Commissioner of Queensland; Fred Ham, solicitor; Dr Hedley Ham, dentist; Walter Ham, of the Melbourne Stock Exchange; Elizabeth Jane Ham married John James Kingsbury, Attorney-General of Queensland and Crown Prosecutor; and Ethel Mary Ham, who married Arthur Sydney Baillieul, accountant, and great-grandparents of Victorian Premier, Ted Baillieu.

In July 1912, Wally and Tessie proved they were a thoroughly modern couple in every way, when Tessie opened her own business – the Wattle Tearoom. Positioned on the third floor of the Centreway Arcade in Collins Street, “The Wattle” was opened with great flourish.

‘…The fine room, which is in brown, was decorated with Iceland poppies, massed with wattle and fern on tables and brackets, and the "brown study" was carried out in the Quaker-brown dresses of the light-footed and deft-handed attendants. An orchestra added to the enjoyment of a delightful afternoon…’
With the declaration of war, Wally Ham saw his way clear and immediately volunteered for active duty. On 28 August 1914, he was commissioned as a lieutenant (honorary captain) with the 8th Infantry Battalion.

Of course, Wally had to pass the stringent physical examination and meet the high expectations placed on early members of the AIF. This he did with ease – years of sport had made him physically fit and strong: at 5-feet 10-inches, he was tall for the time, and weighed a muscular 11-stone 6-pounds, with a 39-inch chest. Although he nearly 42 (making him four years older than the maximum age requirement), Wally looked far younger. Strikingly handsome, he cut quite a dashing figure in his officer’s uniform.

After his commission was confirmed on 16 September, Wally joined A Company of the 8th Battalion as second-in-command. They, of course, formed part of the First Contingent that embarked from Melbourne on 19 October 1914; the 8th Battalion sailed onboard HMAT Benalla.

When the 8th Battalion was deployed to Ismailia to deal with a potential insurgency by Turkish troops, Wally Ham was there. Although the Turks had withdrawn before the Australians arrived, the 8th Battalion stayed at Ismailia for several days, from 3 to 11 February 1915.

Wally’s journey to the Dardanelles began on 5 April. The Clan MacGillivray finally left the harbour at Alexandria on 8 April; the convoy took three days to reach Port Mudros on the island of Lemnos.

The 8th Battalion landed at Gaba Tepe at 5:45am, just before dawn, on 25 April 1915. Wally and his men managed to push through to a ridge above the beach, but throughout the day they were subjected to accurate fire from the Turkish artillery, which ‘inflicted considerable loss.’ Those men leading the charge, officers and NCO’s, suffered a particularly high casualty rate.

On 9 May, Wally was promoted to the rank of captain.
As could be seen by a letter he wrote to his sister, Ethel, the 8th Battalion had lost numerous officers. It was also a remarkable insight into an historic event that occurred on 19 May.

‘…They spoke in French, and asked me if I were an Australian. They seemed surprised, and informed me they thought we were altogether different. They had been led to believe we were blackfellows and cannibals.

They made a big try the other night, and we killed 3000 of them. The sight next day was awful. They were lying in all positions— I will never forget the sight. They asked for an armistice to bury their dead, and it was granted for eight hours. It was funny to see our men during this operation, mixing and fraternising with the enemy.

I went out and spoke to two or three of their officers. . . . We exchanged cards, and parted friendly. It seemed so strange. Both of us in a few hours would be doing our best to kill each other— as we were. Such is a part of the game.

We have a few of the original officers we had at Broadmeadows in our Battalion. We still have Coulter (Captain G. Coulter, D. Company), Dale (Captain F. J. (Dale, D Company), Joseph (Lieutenant C. H. Joseph, signalling officer), Blackman (Lieutenant L. A. Blackman, B Company), Cowper (Captain G. A. Cowper), and myself; the others are killed or wounded.

Gartside (Lieutenant-Colonel R. Gartside, afterwards killed) and I were the only two officers left on the right wing when we started to 'dig in,' but the supervision fell to my lot to complete.

I was speaking to Herb. Hunter (Captain H. H. Hunter, D. Company, afterwards killed) just before we moved to the attack, and he seemed very downhearted, and told me that he did not think he would get through. I tried to buck him up. He got wounded in the hip, and was being removed on a stretcher when he was shot dead through the head.

I am writing this in a hole in the ground, where our battalion is 'dug in.' It looks just like a big rabbit warren. This is where we are supposed to have a day or two's 'rest' after relief from the trenches, but shrapnel is bursting over us all the time, and we had several killed this way. Most of us have grown a beard.
Field (Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. B. Field) is badly wounded. A bullet entered a quarter inch below his eye, and came out under his chin…’

Wally’s letter appeared in numerous newspapers and was singled out for special comment by the writer of the Personal column in the periodical, Table Talk.
‘…One of the most graphic of recent war letters from Gallipoli is that of Captain W. S. Ham to his sister, Mrs. Arthur Baillieu, of Melbourne. Though he never made any pretension to being a literary light. Captain Ham was regarded by his seniors at the Victorian bar as a young man of undoubted talent. His record of the war game is lucid and free from the false note of excitement which mars the work of the best war correspondents. When he comes home a very firm place awaits him in the legal sphere…’

Wally wrote a detailed letter to his soldier brother, Major D. J. Ham. It painted a very vivid picture…
‘…We retired here about a fortnight after our last attack and found only 25 per cent, of our brigade left. Our Brigade did magnificent work, but we got badly cut up, and out of all the officers in our own battalion (bar the staff) we could only muster 10. I never thought that anyone would get through alive. I had one or two narrow escapes having stopped one in the heel of my boot, and another through the sleeve of my tunic. Men were dropping right and left of me, and shrapnel was bursting all over us every few minutes. It was terrific.

Well, we established a firing line about two miles inland, and dug ourselves in. They made a determined rush the first night on our partly-dug trenches, and with their bugles blowing and their weird cry of 'Allah, Allah, Mohamed.' They came at us with fixed bayonets, but we drove them back. "The Navy never thought we could effect our footing, and had the boats all ready to take us back to the transports, but we hung on, and after a desperate defence we held the position for over a week. I don't think I slept until we were relieved from the trenches by reinforcements, nor did any of us. We did not have our clothes off for over two weeks.

They have made three or four attempts to drive us out of our position, but always with very heavy loss to themselves, and we have now got a very consolidated and secure line extending over a three-mile frontage, and they will never shift us in spite of how they try. It was great work, and our Australian lads are as brave as lions, and fear nothing. They proved themselves, as I always predicted they would, that they are worthy to rank with any troops in the world.

About 16 days after our first go we got orders to go about 14 miles to a place due south from here, and our brigade was sent to attack a position and to take a village. This charge of ours has been the talk of the whole Army here, and we advanced over flat country, a mile and a half, right in the teeth of a machine gun fire and concentrated rifle fire and shrapnel, with no one to give us the slightest covering fire, and advanced our firing line 600 yards from its former position, and dug ourselves in from 200 to 300 yards from the enemy, amid a perfect hell of bullets and shrapnel from them. How we did it I don't know, and it's a wonder how we were not all blown to bits.

We charged right over the French and Tommies' trenches on our way, and our rush has been described as amazing and wonderful. We lost heavily. It was here that poor Gartside got it. He stopped about five or six (all at once) and went out. Our adjutant, Captain A. H. Possingham, got one through the heart just as we started.

Hunter also got killed in this charge. All our brigade staff were down (wounded). Colonel McCay showed himself a brave man, and led the brigade himself.

I am writing this in a hurry, as shrapnel is flying all over us. We are camped on the side of a mountain, and we have got three of our guns in position on our right and left, and the enemy do their best to put them out of action, and we get the benefit of it all. We lost 15 or 16 the other day like this, and two yesterday. "The Turks are putting up a great fight, and we have got a big respect for them I can tell you. I have seen some awful sights since we landed here. Jack, and we have lost some brave men, whom it was an honour to know. I had a long chat with General Birdwood three days ago. He is a grand fellow.

"P.S.—We have now been six weeks under fire every day. Can't get paper or envelopes for love or money. Our Brigade alone will require thousands of men from Victoria to keep it at its strength, and the reinforcements are not here. 'Many hands make light work and the work is hard on the few who have to do it here now. Football is going strong, we hear, in Melbourne. The men who support and play it should hear our fellows' opinion of them…’

Although Wally Ham was physically strong, conditions at ANZAC quickly caused a decline in his health. On 26 June, he was evacuated to Egypt suffering from gastro enteritis. He was admitted to the 19th (Deaconess) General Hospital in Alexandria on 3 July. Fortunately, the malady quickly righted itself and he was able to rejoin his unit in the trenches at Lone Pine on 9 August.

One of the particularly sad tasks of the officers was writing to the families of men who fell in battle. Wally Ham was no exception – it was expected that what little comfort they could provide grieving parents or wives was their duty.

He wrote to Mr. and Mrs. St. E. D'Alton, of Dimboola, following the deaths of their only sons, Private Henry St Eloy D’Alton (who died of wounds 25 April 1915) and Lance-Corporal Charles Henry D’Alton, who was killed in action at Lone Pine on 6 August 1915.
‘…May I, on behalf of the "A" Co., extend to you and yours our deepest sympathy. Henry asked me to write to you. He was next to me in the trench when he got hit. Turning to me, he said. 'Captain, I know I shall not recover from this. I have tried to do my duty, and am not afraid to die, and will you please give my love to all at home.' I promised to do so, and we shook hands and we tried to cheer him up. We got him back for treatment at once, but unfortunately nothing could he done. He was a magnificent comrade, and one of the bravest men I have ever met, and I felt his loss keenly. Edward got killed whilst I was away (sick in hospital). He was popular and beloved by all the company. You have reason to be proud of your boys, and I can assure you we shall never forget them or any of the brave lads who have fallen in this terrible war, and who have given their lives in our great cause…’

The family of Private Fred Hicks, from Heathcote, also received a letter from Wally Ham after their son was killed in action on 18 August.

‘…On behalf of A Company, may I offer you and yours the sincere sympathy of all our boys in your sad bereavement. Padre Dexter and Lieut Jennings have written and given you full particulars as to how your son Frederick died so gallantly in the execution of his duty. He indeed died like a hero, and I am sure you are, as well as we, proud of him for his noble action. It was most unfortunate that he did not succeed in coming through it all right. I can assure you we will never forget his meritorious action which led to his death, nor any of our brave lads who have fallen on this peninsular, and who have given their lives for England, honor, and duty. If I am fortunate enough to return to Australia after the war, I shall be pleased to tell you personally all about your brave boy. I have arranged for a cross, suitably inscribed, to be placed on his grave…’

After nearly three months at ANZAC, Wally once again needed hospital treatment. This time the condition was more severe and he was evacuated to the 2nd Field Ambulance at Sarpi Camp, Mudros, suffering from dysentery. He was immediately transferred to the adjacent No1 Canadian Stationary Hospital.
Meanwhile, back in Melbourne, Tessie’s tearoom had rapidly outgrown its early home and it required a move to much larger rooms in Collins House. The Wattle was then on the seventh floor of the building, and were reached by lifts either from Collins Street or from Little Collins-street.

Their reputation as one of Melbourne’s high-class tearooms was secured.

As Wally’s condition continued to cause concern the decision was made to transfer him to the Lowland Casualty Clearing Station in Mudros on 7 December. Finally, as the evacuation of ANZAC began to take effect, Wally was moved to Egypt just before Christmas.

The 8th Battalion was at Tel-el-Kebir, when Wally Ham rejoined them on 25 January 1916. However, within days he was back in hospital suffering from chronic rheumatism following an injury to his left knee. He was transferred from the 3rd Field Ambulance to the No2 Australian General Hospital at Ghezireh, where his knee was properly assessed. Besides ongoing pain, the examination showed that he also had some swelling and slight fluid in the joint.

Following a brief rest period at the Helouan Convalescent Camp, Wally was discharged to duty on 1 March. It seems, however, that the rheumatism was only a small part of a larger medical problem.

A Medical Board of Inquiry was held on 10 May and it was decided that Wally was unfit for general service and needed a three-month rest back in Australia. He was suffering from “melancholia” – his experiences at ANZAC had left their mark. Depression, especially in men, was not something generally acknowledged at that time. Having witnessed such wholesale loss of life and the deaths of so many of his friends must have been profoundly disturbing. He boarded the Hospital Ship Kanowna at Port Suez and sailed home to Australia the day after the decision was made.

When the Kanowna reached the Port Melbourne Town Pier on Thursday morning 15 June, there was a cheering throng to greet them. Women distributed bouquets, cakes and cigarettes to the men as they were loaded into an awaiting fleet of cars to be driven through the streets of Melbourne. It was a greeting designed for heroes, but the sobering number of double-amputee cot cases was a stark reminder of the visible cost of war.

It seems that little consideration was given to Wally returning to the Front. His appointment in the AIF was terminated on 3 July, with a Medical Board concluding that he was suffering from neurasthenia – a blanket term that covered everything from shellshock to a full nervous collapse.

The Defence Department granted pensions to Wally, Tessie and their younger son – a total of just over £7 per fortnight.

Wally continued to contribute on the Home Front – he was named as officer in charge of returned wounded soldiers and also participated in enlistment drives, making ‘stirring appeals to eligible men.’

One of those ‘eligible men’ needed little prompting – Wally and Tessie’s eldest son, John, made an impassioned plea to be able to enlist although he was under age. His parents allowed him to enlist (provisionally) on 1 July 1916, on the condition that he remain in Australia until he reached 19-years-of-age – 30 September 1917. It appears that he eventually wore down their restriction and he was given permission, on 20 February 1917, to enlist for active service abroad. He served as a 2nd Air Mechanic with the Australian Flying Corps and returned home safely at the end of the war.

John was also to provide his parents with some very happy memories – on 12 November 1924, he married Violette May McAlister at Melbourne’s Scots Church. Then, on 14 November 1926, their first grandchild, Valerie Theresa, was born.

Wally and Tessie moved numerous times during their marriage, living at various addresses in Brighton and St Kilda during the years following the war. They also maintained a country home at Sassafras in the Dandenong Ranges, which was known for its fine garden.

Whilst the Wattle Tearoom continued to blossom, with a further move to more ‘picturesque surroundings’ in Collins Court, Wally worked as an accountant and clerk. The Wattle was acclaimed by overseas visitors to Melbourne ‘as unique of their kind in the world.’ And Tessie Ham ‘was outstanding in the ranks of Melbourne's business women.’ Her philanthropic nature also her organise and raise large sums of money for charity, especially the Melbourne public hospitals. She took a particular interest in supporting organisations that cared for the welfare of women and children.

Sadly, Wally Ham died at his home in Park Street, St Kilda, on 22 November 1927. He was just 55-years-old. When asked about the death of another fine soldier, Wally’s ‘old leader,’ Major-General Sir James McCay, made feeling response. ‘…Now that he has gone, my thoughts go back to the gallant soldier and lovable man I knew at the outbreak of the war. He had all a man's courage, and the heart of a boy…’
Wally was privately interred in the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery.

Just six years later, Tessie Ham died unexpectedly on 4 September 1933 – the eve of her son Robert’s wedding to Alison Jones. They postponed their marriage for nearly three years.