Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of William and Mercy Flowers, of Norman St., Ashton Estate, Townsville, Queensland.

The sad news was received today by Mr and Mrs W. Flowers, Ashton Estate, West End of the death of their only child, Lieut. W.H. Flowers, whilst on active service with the A.I.F.  From the cable gram to hand it appears as though Lieut. Flowers died suddenly whilst visiting this aunt's at Fletton, Peterboro, England.  Lieut. Flowers was a native of townsville, being 35 years of age, and at the outbreak of war proceeded to Thursday Island with the citizen forces on home defence duties.  Soon after returning he left for Brisbane to engage in training the overseas forces.  After being engaged in this work for some months, about 2 1/2 years agot he enlisted for active service abroad, and since then had been constantly engaged in active duties in Egypt and France.  About 12 months ago he suffered from severe heart strain, and was to have beeninvalided home, but the then shortage of officers and men caused this to be cancelled and evidently the additional strain has proved too much for an already weakened heart and he passed away suddenly in the presence of loved ones, who with tender and loving hands would lay him in his last resting place.  As an officer, Lieut. Flowers was esteemed and respected by his superiors and both at home and abroad loved by those under him, upon whom he always exerted a gooly influence.  Lieut. Flower's wife predeceased him by two years, having died whilst he was away on active service.  Thus another of the original Kanowna officers has made the supreme sacrifice by laying down his life for Kind and Country.

AUSTRALIAN OFFICERS
FUNERAL
Lieut. Walter Henry Flowers, Australian Imperial Force, a nephew of Mrs Groves, Fletton Avenue, Peterborough, who died in Peterborough infirmary from pneumonia following influenza, was buried with full military honors in old Fletton cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. Lieut. Flowers, (says a Fletton paper) was a native of Queensland, Australia. He  was stationed at Northampton, and when on leave was in the habit of visiting his aunt Mrs Groves. A week last Wednesday he went to see her, intending to leave the following  day, but he had a slight cold which developed into influenza, and consequently he was unable to travel. On the Thursday following he was removed to Peterborough Infirmary  where he unfortunately passed away the next morning. He was 35 years of age. The deceased had been in France two years, and seen very much active service during that  period and quite recently had been awarded military honours, including the Military Medal. The funeral service the first part of which was held in the Cemetery Chapel was  conducted by the Rev. R.C. Frew, military chaplain. There were many sympathisers present. The chief were Mr. E. Flowers (uncle), Mrs. Webb (Aunt), Mrs. Washbourne (Aunt),  Mrs. Clarke (Cousin), Mrs. Johnson (Cousin), Mrs. Tee and Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Coggan. Amongst those following were Capt. G. D. Coleman (O. C. troops at Peterborough), Lieut. J.  M. Woodthorpe, Lieut A. W. Keeble, Lieut. J. T. Dickinson (commanding Fletton Platoon of the Hunts, Volunteers), Corporal Edmondson (representing Australian Headquarters), C.S.M. Vittery (musketry instructor to the 1st Hunts. Volunteeers Regt.). The firing party was provided by the Fletton section of the Hunts Volunteers, under Sergt. Major Gibson  R.D.C. and the following N.C.Os. were present Sergt. Medlock, Sergt. Briddell, Corporals Hawkins, Rowells and Petts. The "Last Post" was sounded by Bugler Munson of the R.D.C.  The coffin bore the Inscription "Lieut. Henry Walter Flowers, 9th Battalion, A.I.F. 1918 aged 34 years." The floral tribute bore cards as follows.— "With dearest love from  Auntie Groves and Auntie Washbourne," With our fond love to our dear nephew, from Aunt Eliza and Uncle Will." In tender memory of our dear Wal from Merci, Walter, and Mona," "With Nancy's love," "In loving memory of a dear one from Rose and Bert," "With deepest sympathy from his brother officers," "In remembrance from Mr and Mrs Coggan," "In  loving memory of dear Walter from Mr and Mrs Tee and family," 197 Lincoln-street Peterborough.

He was living with his aunt, Mrs Groves of 132 Fletton Avenue, Peterborough. The son of William and Mercy Flowers of Norman St, Ashton Estate, Townsville, Queensland.

He is one of 8 Australian Casualties of the Great War commemorated on the Peterborough War Memorial

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland

Died on this date – 25th October…… Walter Henry Flowers was born at Hyde Park, Townsville, Queensland in 1884. He married Edith Elsie Ruth Mundy on 11th February, 1909 in Queensland.

From the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – 22 November, 1913:
Lieutenant (provisional) WALTER HENRY FLOWERS, from the Senior Cadets, to be 2nd Lieutenant (provisionally). Dated 1st November, 1913.

Walter Henry Flowers signed up with Australian Imperial Force on 20th September, 1915 as a 32 year old, married, Grocer from Townsville, Queensland.
He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant with 3rd Reinforcements, 49th Battalion of Australian Imperial Force on 1st April, 1916.

2nd Lieutenant (Honorary Lieutenant) Walter Henry Flowers embarked from Brisbane, Queensland on HMAT Clan McGillivray (A46) on 1st May, 1916 with the 49th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements & disembarked at Egypt on 13th June, 1916. He embarked from Alexandria on 5th August, 1916 for B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) on Megantic.
He was posted to Reinforcements Camp at Etaples on 16th October, 1916.

Edith Elsie Ruth Flowers, wife of Walter Henry Flowers, died on 24th October, 1916.

2nd Lieutenant Walter Henry Flowers was marched out from Reinforcements Camp on 26th October, 1916 to join 49th Battalion & taken on strength of 49th Battalion in France from Reinforcements on 29th October, 1916. He was sent to Hospital – 1st Anzac M.D. Station on 6th December, 1916 & was discharged to duty on 11th December, 1916 & rejoined his Battalion from Hospital on the same day.

From 13th January, 1917 to 9th February, 1917 2nd Lieutenant Walter Henry Flowers attended a School of Instruction. He was sent to “Hospital” on 14th February, 1917 then transferred to 45th Casualty Clearing Station on 16th February, 1917. On 17th February he was transferred by Ambulance Train No. 11 & admitted to 9th General Hospital at Etretat on 19th February, 1917 with Tachycardia. He was discharged to duty on 19th March, 1917.

2nd Lieutenant Walter Henry Flowers was posted to 4th A.D.B.D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples, France on 31st March, 1917. He was marched out to join 49th Battalion on 17th May, 1917 & rejoined his Battalion in the field on 17th May, 1917.

He was on leave to England on 26th June, 1917 & rejoined his Battalion on 8th July, 1917 & again from 29th October, 1917 & rejoined his Battalion on 11th November, 1917.

On 17th January, 1918 Lieutenant Flowers was detached to 4th Divisional Battalion & rejoined his Unit on 24th January, 1918.

He was on leave to England on 28th February, 1918 & rejoined his Battalion on 16th March, 1918.
Lieutenant Walter Henry Flowers died on 25th October, 1918 at Peterborough Infirmary, England from Influenza & Bronchitis.

He was buried in Old Fletton Cemetery, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England – Plot number NC. 423 and now has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/peterborough.html