CRESSWELL, Walter James
| Service Numbers: | 2637, 2661 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 11 January 1916, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 10th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Bourke, New South Wales, 30 June 1894 |
| Home Town: | Cunnamulla, Paroo, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Station hand |
| Died: | Accidental (horse riding injuries), Morven, Queensland, 31 October 1925, aged 31 years |
| Cemetery: |
Charleville General Cemetery, Qld |
| Memorials: | Paroo Shire Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 11 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2637, Toowoomba, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 2637, 5th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Seang Choon, Brisbane | |
| 4 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 2637, 5th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Seang Choon embarkation_ship_number: A49 public_note: '' | |
| 25 May 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 10th Light Horse Regiment, Landed at Fremantle, Perth, due to measles | |
| 6 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 2661, 10th Light Horse Regiment, RMS Morea, Fremantle | |
| 6 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 2661, 10th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: RMS Morea embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 20 Dec 1916: | Discharged AIF WW1, Trooper, 2661, 10th Light Horse Regiment, Medically discharged due to debility following bacillary dysentery |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Paul Trevor
'Forbes Jockey Killed.
POPULAR QUEENSLAND RIDER.
"WE'LL LOOK AFTER HIS GRAVE."
The following is taken from the Charleville (Q.) "Times": —
During the last race on the second day of the Morven races an accident occurred that cast a gloom over the meeting, and led to the abandoning of the dance that was scheduled to be held that evening.
There were five starters in this race. The rider of Clever Boy drew No. 1 marble, and took up his position on the rails. The start was exceptionally good, all the horses getting away in a bunch. When nearing the three-furlong post, Clever Boy stumbled and fell. The jockey behind pulled out, but his horse struck the rider of Clever Boy on the head, inflicting terrible injuries.
Superintendent Grinstead, of the Charleville ambulance, was Fortunately at the meeting, and rendered first aid. He made all arrangements with Charleville to have the rail car despatched to Morven to carry the injured man to Charleville for further medical treatment. The superintendent brought the injured man to the railway station, and made him as comfortable as possible.
The unfortunate jockey, W. J. Cresswell, had no hope of recovery from the first, and passed away at 8.55 p.m. on Saturday. The body was brought to Charleville on the railway ambulance for burial on Sunday. The deceased was a returned soldier, having enlisted with the 10th L.H. in 1915. He was well known and very highly respected throughout the district. He was a splendid horseman, and handled many Queensland horses.
We desire to extend the sympathy of every Digger to the relatives of
Wallie Cresswell. The funeral was on Sunday (military), and the Diggers' Race Club, was represented by Mr. Hope Martin and the League by Mr. McGregor. The League sent a wreath. Mr. H. J. Carter and Mr. W. Connelly represented. the Central Warrego and Morven Clubs respectively. We can assure the relatives that the League will undertake the looking after of the grave, as we now have 10 ex-comrades buried in the local cemetery. To Wallie's sisters, Mrs. Bentick, Mrs. Morton, and Mrs. Griffiths (of Forbes, N.S.W.), and his brother, Mr. C. Cresswell, of Wilcannia, we extend our deepest sympathy.' from The Forbes Advocate 20 Nov 1925 (nla.gov.au)
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