S25738
HEINCESLATER, Walter
| Service Number: | 2052 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 58th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Woodside District of Onkaparinga Honour Board, Woodside R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Apr 1915: | Involvement Private, 2052, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr 1915: | Embarked Private, 2052, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Adelaide | |
| 21 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, 2052, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of England embarkation_ship_number: A15 public_note: '' | |
| 21 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, 2052, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Star of England, Adelaide | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Private, 2052, 58th Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 2052, 50th Infantry Battalion |
Walter Stanley Heinceslater
Name: Walter Stanley Heinceslater
Service Number: 2052
Place of Birth: Woodside
Date of Birth: 16 August 1891
Place of Enlistment: Oaklands
Date of Enlistment: 20 January 1915
Age at Enlistment: 23 years 5 months
Next of Kin: Father, Charles Heinceslater
Occupation: Labourer
Religion: Church of England
Rank: Private
Walter fought at Gallipoli until 17 July 1915 when he was returned to Australia on the Kyarra due to a medical condition, eventually rejoining the 10th Battalion on 7 March 1916. He received a slight wound in action on 16 October and was able to rejoin his unit on the 20th. During his service in France Walter was awarded the Military Medal and a Bar for valiant deeds in 1917 and 1918. The following excerpts from his service record explain reasons for his awards: “On 26th September 1917 near Zonnebeke this man was a battalion Headquarters runner and did some most important and dangerous runs. Twice when the telephone line was cut by heavy shell fire and 2 runners were killed endeavoring to get through to the frontline he cheerfully undertook to do the run and succeeded at great personal risk in delivering the message.”
T.W. Glascow, Brigadier-General Commanding 13th Australian Infantry Brigade.
“During the operations at Villers-Bretonneux on 24/25 April 1918 this man was employed as Company Runner. He was conspicuous throughout for his courage and devotion to duty and on numerous occasions carried important messages over ground swept by a machine gun, shell and rifle fire.
On one occasion he was one of a party of three who accompanied the Battalion Intelligence Officer on a risky reconnaissance, in which one other and himself were wounded. Though suffering severely, he was anxious to carry on, but was ordered away as a casualty.
By his splendid courage, cheerfulness and endurance he set a splendid example to all ranks.” T.W. Glascow, Brigadier-General Commanding 13th Australian Infantry Brigade.
Walter sustained a severe neck wound in action at Villers-Bretonneux on 27 April 1918 necessitating being invalided to England on 30 April and returned to Australia on the Saxon, where he was discharged on 18 April 1919.
Submitted 26 October 2023 by christopher collins