Walter Murray SANDFORD

SANDFORD, Walter Murray

Service Numbers: 3595, 3595B
Enlisted: 17 August 1915, Adelaide, South Australia - 8th Reinforcements 27th Bn
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 10th Infantry Battalion
Born: Renmark, South Australia, 9 May 1893
Home Town: Renmark, Renmark Paringa, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Labourer
Died: Killed in Action, France, 23 July 1916, aged 23 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Memorials: Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Men from Renmark and District Roll of Honor Boards (4), Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France)
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World War 1 Service

17 Aug 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3595, 27th Infantry Battalion, Adelaide, South Australia - 8th Reinforcements 27th Bn
18 Aug 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3595, 27th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, Mitcham Camp
12 Jan 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3595, 27th Infantry Battalion,

--- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: ''

28 Feb 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 10th Infantry Battalion, Walter and many of his mates were transferred from the 27th Battalion to reinforce the 10th Battalion after Gallipoli, as part of the process known as the 'doubling' of the AIF's original 16 Battalions. The 10th Battalion had been at Gallipoli since the landing, until late October when it was withdrawn to the island of Lemnos for rest and recuperation.
23 Jul 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3595B, 10th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières ,

--- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3595B awm_unit: 10 Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-07-23

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Biography

Walter Murray Sandford was the second son of Mrs Rosanna Sandford of Fifteenth St Renmark, born 9 May 1893 in Renmark

By the time he enlisted in August 1915 he was working locally as a labourer.  The whereabouts of his father was listed as 'unknown'.

He enlisted and embarked with the 8th reinforcements for 27th Battalion AIF in early 1916.  He was transferred to the 10th Battalion ('The Fighting 10th') AIF  in Egypt, replacing losses sustained during the Gallipoli campaign, where they had been since the landing on 25 April.  This took place as part of the re-organisation of the AIF prior to embarkation for the Western Front.

After a brief Mediterranean crossing the, AIF disemabrked in Marseilles France and began a rail journey north.  Walter and his mates marvelled at the rich greeen countrside though which they passed, such a contrast to their own home towns across South Australia.  The Battalion and its parent 1st Division intially deployed to what was known as "The Nursery" near Armentieres on the French-Belgian border.  As preparations for the great Somme offensive got under way, the Australian 1st 2nd and 4th Divisions were moved south.  The 3rd was in England undergoing training and the 5th remained in Flanders, shortly to be committed to the disaster that was Fromelles.

Walter Sandford and his mates in the 10th Battalion, as part of the 1st Division, were committed to battle on the 23rd July 1916 near the village of Pozieres, by then a shattered ruination, destroyed by the unrelenting artillery fire that characterised the Somme battles.

Walter was reported missing sometime between 23-25 July.

"HALF MAST! PTES. W. H. SANDFORD AND A. C. BOLT.

During the week, word has reached Renmark of the death of two of the brave men who went from here to fight overseas, Ptes. W. M. (Walter) Sandford and A. C. (Kit) Bolt. Pte. Sandford was reported missing last July, but has only now been gazetted among the killed. (By some mistake he was reported killed on Dec. 23 or 25). Naturally, the worst was feared when word came that "Walter" was missing, but his mother hoped against hope till the last. For her and for Pte. Sandford's sisters and brothers - all well known in Renmark - deep and respectful sympathy will be felt. Pte. Sandford was the second son of Mrs. R. Sandford. He was born in Renmark and was in his 24th year. He took part in the big push on the Somme, where he was Killed. He was a fine lad, a good type of Australian youth, a steady worker, good to his mother and respected by his comrades and acquaintances. Prior to his enlistment Pte. Saadford was working on Calperum station." - from the Renmark Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record 26 Jan 1917 (nla.gov.au)

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