WALKER, William
| Service Number: | 5217 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 6th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Tolarno, New South Wales, Australia, 5 October 1878 |
| Home Town: | Irymple, Mildura Shire, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Wentworth State School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Accidental Drowning, Bristol River, Gloucestershire, England United Kingdom, 11 December 1918, aged 40 years |
| Cemetery: |
Bristol (Arnos Vale) Cemetery, Gloucestershire, England Bristol (Arnos Vale) Cemetery (Row 6, Grave 704), Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Koorlong Mildura Roll of Honour, Mildura Cenotaph, Mildura Workingmans Club War Memorial, Red Cliffs Mildura Settlers Club Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5217, 6th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 5217, 6th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Suffolk embarkation_ship_number: A23 public_note: '' | |
| 1 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 5217, 6th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Suffolk, Melbourne | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 5217, 6th Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge, GSW to left thigh | |
| 23 Aug 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 5217, 6th Infantry Battalion, GSW to chest - death by accidental drowning. |
Help us honour William Walker's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Geoffrey Gillon
He was 39 and the son of George and Martha Walker, of Lime Avenue, Mildura, Victoria.
Age at death registered as 40
Deaths Dec 1918 Walker William 40 Bristol 6a 155
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK
Died on this date – 11th December..... Private William Walker was born at Tolarno Station, River Darling, NSW in 1878. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 1st February, 1916 as a 39 year old, single, Labourer from Irymple, Mildura, Victoria.
Private William Walker embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Suffolk (A23) on 1st April, 1916 with the 6th Infantry Battalion, 16th Reinforcements. He landed in Egypt then was transferred to England where he would receive further training before being sent to the War Front.
Private Walker proceeded to France on 29th August, 1916 & joined 6th Battalion on 15th September, 1916.
Private Walker was sent sick to Hospital on 23rd March, 1917 then sent to Convalescent Depot at Rouen on 3rd April, 1917 with Septic traumatic abrasion/s to left toe. He rejoined 6th Battalion on 11th May, 1917.
Private William Walker was wounded in action on 4th October, 1917 with GSW to left thigh. He was admitted to Hospital at Camiers, France then transferred to Convalescent Depot at Cayeux on 22nd October, 1917. Private Walker rejoined 6th Battalion on 1st December, 1917.
Private William Walker was wounded in action (2nd occasion) on 23rd August, 1918. He was invalided to England on 16th September, 1918 on Hospital Ship Guildford Castle. Private Walker was admitted to 2nd Southern General Hospital at Bristol, England on 17th September, 1918 with G.S.W. to chest (penetrating) – severe.
Private William Walker’s body was found drowned on 20th December, 1918. His body was recovered from the River at Bristol, England.
According to a telegram to Administrative Headquarters, A.I.F. on 20th December, 1918 from Bristol - Private William Walker was absent from Hospital from 11th December, 1918.
A Coroner’s Inquest was held into the death of No. 5217 Private William Walker, 6th Battalion, A.I.F. The verdict – found drowned in the Floating Harbour.
Private William Walker’s death was recorded as drowned on 11th December, 1918.
Private William Walker was buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. His name is remembered on the CWGC Screen Wall & he has a flat Memorial Stone.
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/arnos-vale.html
Click images to start slideshow.