Walter Wesley TILBROOK MM

TILBROOK, Walter Wesley

Service Number: 618
Enlisted: 12 September 1914
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1)
Born: Willowie, Orroroo, South Australia, 19 May 1890
Home Town: Willowie, Mount Remarkable, South Australia
Schooling: Willowie Public School, South Australia
Occupation: Farmer
Died: Killed in Action, France, 1 April 1918, aged 27 years
Cemetery: Hebuterne Communal Cemetery
Grave Ref, 1 A 2
Memorials: Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Orroroo District Roll of Honour WW1, Orroroo Morchard Methodist Church Memorial Window, Orroroo Morchard War Memorial, Orroroo War Memorial, Willowie Memorial Hall Stained Glass Window 2, Willowie Schools and District Roll of Honor
Show Relationships

World War 1 Service

12 Sep 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 618, 3rd Light Horse Regiment
12 Sep 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 618, 3rd Light Horse Regiment
21 Dec 1914: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 618, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Newcastle embarkation_ship: HMAT Thirty-Six embarkation_ship_number: A36 public_note: ''
21 Dec 1914: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 618, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Thirty-Six, Newcastle
1 Apr 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1)
Date unknown: Involvement 618, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1)

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

Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen

Walter Wesley TILBROOK was born in Willowie, Orroroo, South Australia on 19th May, 1890

His parents were Jabez TILBROOK & Emily MORPETH

His brother Richard Louis Howard TILBROOK (SN 15941) also served in WW1 and returned to Australia in 1919

Biography contributed by Victoria Newton

From his WikiTree Profile:

Walter Wesley Tilbrook was known to play football and was a 'big chap'. He saw active service in Gallipoli and was severely wounded by a bullet wound to the arm. After regaining health in England he was attached to the SA Machine Gun Corps and was twice decorated and distinguished for brave conduct, including a military medal.

The citation for his award reads: This non-commissioned officer is brought under notice for gallant conduct and splendid behaviour during operations near Zonnebeke on the 26th September 1917. During the attack he lead his section forward with a steady coolness which inspired confidence in his men. Soon after reaching the Red Line his section of trench was very violently shelled by the enemy, he, thoroughly appreciated the situation and took his men forward to shell holes, where the fire was less intense, and so undoubtedly saved many lives.

Walter was later killed on Easter Monday 1918 while attempting to capture a German trench. Walter was ahead of the main party and shot by a German sniper. His body was buried next to a comrade who died the previous day. The area where he was buried is now part of Hebuterne Communal Cemetery, France. He is the second grave registered. (Grave Ref, 1 A 2)

Research Note
Mother's name was incorrect on birth certificate and spelled "Morpeth" instead of Morphett.

Some war records incorrectly spelled his name "Tillbrook"

Contributed by Vicki Newton

Read more...