Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗘𝗥
Service No: 7127
Rank: Private
Unit: 9th Battalion

Ahead of ANZAC Day on Monday, our volunteers thought we would show our respects to WW1 veteran Henry Thomas Walker and restore the lettering to his granite headstone located at Lutwyche Cemetery. The headstone itself was in good condition, and now looks wonderful with the lettering and ornate flowers down the sides repainted. We thank Brisbane City Council for their permission to do these works on behalf of council and family.

𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿 was born in Brisbane on 19 May 1888 to parents Annie Maria Collins and Thomas Walker. He married Ivy Mindham in Brisbane on 7 February 1912, and their first child, Harold Gordon Walker, was born in September 1912. Sadly, Harold died two months after his second birthday. Their second child, Violet Brisbane Walker was born in September 1915, but passed away just under six months later. Their third child, Annie Sarah Walker was born on 24 May 1917. Four months later, on 5 September, Heynry’s wife Ivy died, and was buried at Toowong Cemetery with her two children who pre-deceased her.

The following month, on 27 October 1917, Henry enlisted at Brisbane to serve with the Australian Imperial Force in WW1. On his enlistment, he states he is a bridge carpenter and his next of kin is his daughter Annie, who was being cared for by his Uncle John Collins (his mother’s brother) and his Aunt Sarah. Henry embarked from Sydney per ‘Ormonde’ on 2 March 1918 with the 26th Battalion, disembarking on 4 April at Suez, Egypt.

Henry was transferred on 30 April to Port Tewfik for embarkation overseas. He embarked per ‘Elleuga’, disembarking in Southampton, England on 15 May, and marched in to the 5th Training Battalion at Fovant. The following month, he was taken on strength of the 9th Battalion. He proceeded overseas to France via Folkstone on 15 August 1918 and marched in to Havre, France two days later, before marching out to join his unit.

On 24 August 1918, Henry was wounded in action (gassed) and was transferred from the Casualty Clearing Station to 2nd General Hospital in Havre the following day. Two days later, he was admitted to the 4th Convalescent Depot and then transferred to the Australian Convalescent Depot on 28 August. He was discharged on 1 October to the Australian Infantry Base Depot, and marched out from Havre, rejoining his battalion in the field on 7th October. Henry marched out for return to Australia on 27 May 1919, embarking per 'Takada' on 18 July, disembarking in Australia on 7 September 1919.

Following his return to Australia, Henry worked as a labourer and lived with his uncle and aunt at Breakfast Creek. He married Violet May Ostram on 13 October 1923 and the couple had a son named Cecil Lewis Walker the following year. The family lived in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra where Henry worked as a carpenter.

Henry Thomas Walker died in Brisbane on 24 July 1967, aged 79 years. He was buried at Lutwyche Cemetery the following day.

Lest We Forget 🌺
Courtesy of The Australian Remembrance Army.