MAGGS, Walter Smith
| Service Number: | 2772 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 January 1915, 8th Reinforcements |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 14th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bendigo, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Longlea, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Memorials: | Bendigo Great War Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2772, 14th Infantry Battalion, 8th Reinforcements | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, 2772, 14th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: SS Makarini embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 15 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, 2772, 14th Infantry Battalion, SS Makarini, Melbourne | |
| 14 Aug 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, The award would be posted in the London Gazette on August 14, 1917 and Australian Commonwealth Gazette 20 December 1917 on page 3377 at position 128. Although no record as yet discovered of the bravery deed or deeds it appears to be at one of the many battles in Belgium in early 1917. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Jack Coyne
Walter Smith MAGGS
Military Medal
THE MELBOURNE HERALD published the following report on February 6, 1918: -
ATHLETE DECORATED BENDIGO, Wednesday,
‘No. 2772 Gunner W. S. Maggs, 12th Army Brigade, Field Artillery, son of Mr Walter Maggs, of Bannister street, Bendigo, has been awarded tho Military Medal for bravery in the field In France. Gunner Maggs, who is 23 years of age, enlisted early in the war and went away with the Light Horse. He has since seen service with the cavalry, infantry and artillery, and has been in tho signalling corps. Before enlisting he was on his father's farm at Kangaroo Creek. In his school days he was a crack shot in the cadet forces and won a number of prizes in competitions. He was also a good all-round athlete and swimmer.’[1]
Walter was a farmer on the family property at Longlea, 14 kilometres east of Bendigo. Following enlistment in Bendigo in early January 1915, Walter would sail in September with the reinforcements of the 14th Battalion that became known as the Victorian Battalion.
He would arrive on the Dardanelle’s Peninsula (Gallipoli) very late in proceedings on November 21, 1915. This was just one month before British authorities took the decision to evacuate all forces off the Peninsula following the failed mission. Conditions were dire and sickness rife among the surviving Australian troops as the winter began to kick in. Earlier efforts to break through Turkish defences at Lone Pine, Krithia and the Nek had all failed with dreadful loss of life and casualties.
Back in Egypt for 1916, the AIF reorganised. Experienced soldiers were taken from established units and placed with fresh recruits arriving almost daily from Australia. Walter would be assigned to the 12th Field Artillery Battery attached to the 45th battalion. Walter was now a ‘Gunner’ and training would be begin in preparation for transfer to the western front.
Walter along many other Australian soldiers struggled with the discipline of being a soldier. There are a number of charges he faces in 1916 & 1917 even after he is promoted to temporary corporal and then awarded the Military medal. In March 12th he was transferred to the Australian Field Artillery Brigade Ammunition Column and the next month appointed a Driver.
The logistics of supply of ammunition was critical to any army. Each Division of the AIF had an Ammunition Column to keep ammunition up to the guns by moving it from "Third line" storage up to the Front ("First Line"). It was a mammoth task involving motor and horse drawn transport, heavy and light rail and tramways. Horse drawn transport laden with ammunition is a doubly risky business. Horses are vulnerable to all forms of small arms and artillery and the cargo is such that a hit is generally catastrophic. It is not for nothing that many drivers received bravery awards'. [2]
Walter would be recommended for a bravery award in the first half of 1917 whilst with the Ammunition Column. The exact date and location are as yet not discovered, however it would appear to be Belgium in one of the many dreadful battles of Ypres. The award would be posted in the London Gazette on August 14, 1917.
Walter would serve with his unit through the major battles along the Somme in 1918. He would return to England for demobilization and it is here he meets and marries Ellen Baxter from Leyton, East London on March 6, 1919. He would disembark in Melbourne in mid September 1919, bringing his new wife with him to Australia.Photo with his bride, Ellen Baxter from the East of London. [3]
SERVICE DETAILS:
Regt No.2772
Place of birth: Bendigo
Religion: Church of England
Occupation: Farmer
Address: Longlea via Bendigo, Victoria
Marital status: Single
Age at enlistment: 19
Next of kin: Mother, Walter Joseph Maggs, Longlea
Enlistment date: 5 January 1915
Unit name: 14th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement, 12th Field Artillery Brigade
AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/31/3
Embarked: SS Makarini on 15 September 1915
Final Rank: Private
Unit from Nominal Roll 12th Field Artillery Brigade
Fate Returned to Australia 26 July 1919
[1] The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) Wed 6 Feb 1918 Page 1 ATHLETE DECORATED
[2] (Source - https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/units/126 )
[3] Photo with bride
https://www.emaze.com/@ACCWQCFQ
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