WALPOLE, George John Watts
| Service Number: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 August 1914, Served for 3 years in the Cameron Militia, Boer War |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Norfolk, England, 21 January 1884 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Cerebro Spinal Fever, Salisbury Isolation Hospital, Wiltshire, England , United Kingdom, 18 February 1918, aged 34 years |
| Cemetery: |
St Lawrence Churchyard, Hampshire, England Plot 132 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 3, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Served for 3 years in the Cameron Militia, Boer War | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Involvement 3, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked 3, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Sydney | |
| 9 Dec 1914: | Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 3, 3rd Infantry Battalion, reverted | |
| 20 Mar 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Reverted | |
| 27 Apr 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 3, 3rd Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, GSW left thigh | |
| 24 Jul 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 3, 3rd Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, Remained on duty | |
| 11 Aug 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 3, 3rd Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, GSW to right leg |
Help us honour George John Watts Walpole's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland
Died on this date – 18th February…… George John Watts Walpole (John Wilson) was born at Norfolk, England on 21st January, 1884.
He enlisted with the Cameron Highlanders on 4th January, 1899 for 12 years & was given the rank of Boy & a Service number of 4694. He stated he was aged 14 years & 11 months & an Errand Boy. His next of kin was listed as his mother – Emily Walpole, Lady Scott’s Schoolhouse.
On 1st April, 1899 Boy Walpole was appointed Drummer. He was posted to Gibraltar from 22nd October, 1899 until 29th April, 1902 then to Malta from 30th April, 1902.
Drummer Walpole was Absent without leave on 2nd November, 1902. He was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment with Hard Labour & fined 10p.
Drummer Walpole was posted to South Africa from 16th April, 1904. He was deprived of his Appointment of Drummer from 3rd March, 1906.
Private Walpole was awarded 14 days Imprisonment with Hard Labour from 15th May, 1906. He was returned to duty on 29th May, 1906.
He was posted to China from 10th February, 1907 & was awarded 10 days Detention from 28th August, 1907 & returned to duty on 7th September, 1907.
On 20th January, 1908 he was awaiting Trial. He was tried by District Court Martial for using violence to his superior officer being in the execution of his Office and sentenced to 1 year Imprisonment with Hard Labour from 4th February, 1908.
Private George John Watts Walpole was on Home Service from 20th November, 1908. He was discharged from H.M. Service on 21st November, 1908.
George John Watts Walpole enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) at Kensington, Sydney, NSW on 22nd August, 1914 stating his name as “John Wilson”. He stated he was a 27 year old, single, Miner (born Norwich, Norfolk).
Private “John Wilson” was posted as Sergeant (Bugler) on 17th August, 1914. He embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Euripides (A14) on 20th October, 1914 with the 3rd Infantry Battalion Headquarters, with a Service Number of 3 & disembarked at Egypt in December, 1914. He reverted to rank of Private on 9th December, 1914.
He embarked on Derflinger on 5th April, 1915 to join M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force). He was given 24 hours Detention at Lemnos on 21st April, 1915 for Gambling on Troopship A10 at 5 pm on 20th April, 1915.
Private “John Wilson” was wounded at Gallipoli between 25th & 30th April, 1915. He was transferred to Hospital Ship Itonus with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to left thigh. Private “Wilson” was admitted to No. 17 General Hospital at Alexandria on 30th May, 1915 then transferred to Mustapha Convalescent Depot on 12th June, 1915. He was discharged to duty at Southland on 14th June, 1915 & rejoined his Unit at Anzac on 20th June, 1915.
On 18th July, 1915 Private “Wilson” was wounded (2nd occasion) slightly at Anzac. He rejoined his Unit on 20th July, 1915.
Private “John Wilson” was transferred to Hospital Ship Delta on 7th August, 1915 with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to right leg – 3rd occasion. He was admitted to No. 2 Australian General Hospital at Gezireh on 12th August, 1917 then transferred & admitted to Mena Convalescent Depot on 23rd August, 1915.
A Medical Report was completed on Private “John Wilson” while stationed at Mena, Egypt. His disability was recorded as “Bomb wound R. knee & bullet wound L. thigh. Nervous debility. Cannot straighten R. leg”. The Bullet wound (left thigh) occurred on 25th April, 1915 & the Bomb wound (back of knee) happened on 7th August, 1915 – both on active service at Gallipoli. An operation had been performed to remove the bullet.
On 2nd February, 1916 Private “Wilson” was admitted to No. 3 Auxiliary Hospital at Mena & was discharged to duty at Heliopolis on 29th February, 1916.
He was transferred to No. 4 Hospital Train from 1st Training Battalion then admitted to 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital at Tel-el-Kebir on 29th April, 1916 with a ruptured muscle of right thigh. He joined 1st Training Battalion on 15th May, 1916 from No. 3 Auxiliary Hospital.
Private “John Wilson” was written up Overstaying leave from 06.00 hrs on 19th June, 1916 until 18.00 hrs on 24th June, 1916. He was awarded 6 days Confined to Barracks & forfeited 6 days’ pay.
He was written up for a Crime on 13th August, 1916 – A.W.L. (Absent without Leave) from 9.30 pm on 1st August, 1916 until 11.30 am on 6th August, 1916. He was awarded 10 days Confined to Barracks & forfeited 6 days’ pay.
Private “John Wilson” was appointed Acting Corporal Bugler on 4th November, 1916 while posted with 1st Training Battalion at Durrington, Wiltshire.
(Note: The records do not show when Private “John Wilson” was returned to England) Acting Corporal Bugler “John Wilson” was admitted to Fargo Hospital, Wiltshire, England on 16th January, 1917 with Scabies. He was discharged on 23rd January, 1917 & marched in to 1st Training Battalion at Larkhill, Wiltshire, England the same day.
On 1st June, 1917 Acting Corporal Bugler “John Wilson” was written up for an Offence at Durrington, Wiltshire, England on 1st June, 1917 – “Conduct to the prejudice of good order & Military Discipline in that he imposed on a comrade.” As a result he reverted to the rank of Private from 2nd June, 1917.
Private “Wilson” was admitted to Fargo Military Hospital on 5th June, 1917 & diagnosed with Influenza. He was discharged on 9th June, 1917. He was admitted again to Fargo Hospital, Wiltshire, England on 20th July, 1917 – cause N.Y.D. (not yet determined) but later recorded as due to Alcoholism. He was discharged to duty on 24th July, 1917 to 1st Training Battalion at Durrington.
On 23rd October, 1917 Private “Wilson” was sent sick to No. 1 Group Hospital at Sutton Veny, Wiltshire. He was admitted to Military Hospital at Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, England on 24th October, 1917 with Influenza (recorded on Casualty Form – Active Service as Bronchitis). He was discharged on 19th November, 1917.
He was sent to again to Group Clearing Hospital at Sutton Veny on 2nd December, 1917. He was admitted to Military Hospital at Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, England on 3rd December, 1917 with Inflammation of knee joint (right) (Synovitis). He was discharged to Training Depot on 18th December, 1917.
On 9th February, 1918 Private “Wilson” was admitted to Sutton Veny Hospital with Gastritis from No. 1 Command Depot.
Private “John Wilson” died at 6.30 pm on 18th February, 1918 at Salisbury Isolation Hospital, Wiltshire, England from Cerebro Spinal Fever.
He was buried in St Lawrence’s Churchyard, Stratford-sub-Castle, Wiltshire, England where 25 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.
Documentary evidence was produced showing the true name of the late Private “John Wilson” to be WALPOLE, George John Watts – dated 11th July, 1918 as recorded on Casualty form – Active Service.
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/stratford-sub-castle...
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