Walter Leslie SCHWARZ MC and Bar, MID**

Walter Leslie SCHWARZ MC and Bar, MID** Update Details

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SCHWARZ, Walter Leslie

Service Number:	256
Enlisted:	7 June 1915, Gunner, Siege Artillery Brigade
Last Rank:	Captain
Last Unit:	Royal Fusiliers
Born:	Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, 1896
Home Town:	Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Grocer / Garrison Artilleryman
Memorials:	Toowoomba Queen of the South Lodge, Toowoomba Roll of Honour WW1

World War 1 Service

7 Jun 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 256, Siege Artillery Brigade, Gunner, Siege Artillery Brigade
17 Jul 1915:	Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 256, Siege Artillery Brigade, Designated 'Gunner' :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Orsova embarkation_ship_number: A67 public_note: ''
11 Nov 1918:	Involvement British Forces (All Conflicts), Captain, Royal Fusiliers, "The Last Hundred Days", Deserted from 36th HAG to enlist in the Royal Fusiliers where he was Commissioned served with great distinction, and later Awarded MC & bar and MID three times, wounded and lost a leg in October 1918.

Help us honour Walter Leslie Schwarz's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Steve Larkins

Walter Leslie Schwarz

There were interesting characters in the ranks too; none more than Gunner Walter Schwarz. This 19-year-old felt that he would not be allowed to go to the front with the brigade because of his German name, and so he deserted while in England. But, determined to serve, he enlisted in the British army under another name. He went on to be commissioned, promoted to captain, was twice awarded the Military Cross for bravery, and received his division’s card of honour four times, until he was severely wounded, resulting in the loss of one leg. Before returning to Australia he confessed to being a deserter, and received a pardon from the King in 1921."

Extract of a feature by Peter Burness, AWM Wartime magazine Issue No. 26

Walter Schwarz's story has been researched extensively and published as a book by author Ken Anderson, called 'A German Tommy'. The follwing details are drawn from that reference.

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