DERRETT, Walter
Service Numbers: | 492, 331, 1539 |
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Enlisted: | 29 September 1915, Dubbo, NSW |
Last Rank: | Private |
Last Unit: | 6th Light Horse Regiment |
Born: | Omaru, New Zealand, 1 January 1862 |
Home Town: | Woy Woy, New South Wales |
Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
Occupation: | Veterinary dresser & labourer |
Died: | Suicide by drowning, Rappville, New South Wales, Australia, 15 April 1928, aged 66 years |
Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Buried in bushland near Myrtle Creek, Rappville |
Memorials: |
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Walter DERRETT was born in Omaru, New Zealand in 1862
His parents were William & Ann DERRETT
He married Mary Elizabeth SAUNDERS nee GIBSON in NSW in 1920
Walter served during the Boer War with both the 4th & 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen and was invalided to Australia arriving on 16th January, 1901 - he was discharged on 26th March, 1902 when the rest of the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen arrived back in Australia
On 29th September, 1915 he enlisted to serve during WW1 in the 6th Light Horse Regiment which embarked from Sydney on 23rd October, 1915 in the SS Hawkes Bay with the 12th reinforcements
He returned to Australia on 17th August, 1916 and was discharged on 26th October, 1916 as medically unfit
Walter was living in the Northern Rivers area of NSW and his wife Mary was an invalid living in Sydney - he was suffering ill health & committed suicide by drowning in Myrtle Creek , Rappville, NSW - he is buried in a travelling stock reserve in the bush near the river (see photos of his resting place)
IN MEMORY