Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Laurence was born in Woodville to Florence Eveline and George Lionel Walker on the 2nd October ’21. He was the second son, having an older brother, Jack Harold and four sisters, Verna, Rona, Eva and Merle. All the children attended the Woodville School.
With the outbreak of WWII, Laurence’s older brother, Jack a fibrous plasterer was first to enlist on the 21st June ‘40, just after his 23rd birthday. He became SX6262 in the 2/43rd Battalion and listed his father as his next of kin. Jack’s early days in the army were a challenge and proved to be very expensive for him as he accrued several fines for being absent without leave (AWL) or drunk. Soon after, Laurence, still a civilian, was also fined for staggering along the middle of Port Road, attempting to stop traffic by throwing his arms in the air. Laurence was fined £2 with 10/ costs for having behaved offensively. The justices took the view that his actions were ‘offensive and dangerous to motorists.’
An added disruption to the brothers’ lives was the unexpected death of their 54-year-old father, George, on the 24th October that year. Laurence had just turned 19. With little time to grieve, Jack was soon heading to the Middle East on the 29th Dec ’40, arriving in February ’41. Unknown to him at the time, he was to become one of the famed Rats of Tobruk. Jack still struggled to comply with Army discipline and soon after arriving was again losing pay for failing to obey an order.
That year, younger brother Laurence, aged 19 and just prior to his 20th birthday, enlisted on the 15th July ’41. He was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, rather than to Jack’s 2/43rd. At about that time, Jack was quite ill with a very high fever (pyroxia) but recuperated.
Less than a year after losing his father, Laurence, still not 20 years of age, learned that his 24-year-old brother Jack had been killed in action on the 5th August /41. Also killed with him were two young men from Laurence’s 2/48th battalion. They were Pte. Paul P. Kostera, SX7090, Balaklava; and Pte. P. Rex Holmes, SX7861, Kingswood. Jack was buried at Tobruk War Cemetery Salvation Army Grave 646.
The Adelaide Advertiser carried news of Jack’s death. Friday 29 August 1941, ‘WALKER.—KiIIed in action, on the 5th of August, Pte. J. H. Walker.—Ever remembered by his pal Gordon (A.I.F, abroad) and Lorna Lovell. WALKER.—KiIIed in action on the 5th of August. Pte. Jack Walker, beloved son of Mrs. F. Walker and late G. Walker, and loved brother of Verna, Rona, Eva, Merle, Laurie, AIF. To a lovely life came a noble end.’ His grieving mother chose a similar inscription ‘To a Beautiful Life Came a Noble End. At Rest’ for Jack’s headstone.
Laurence’s battalion was involved on the 22nd July ’42 in the capture of West Point of Tel el Eisa in a dawn attack. In late June ‘42 with Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th were in an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The 2/48th battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived.
In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter;
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’

Throughout August, the Adelaide based newspapers released the names of those killed or wounded in that battle. Included with Laurence being listed as wounded were several others from his battalion. They were SX7666 Pte. E. J. Chuck, Kalangadoo SX14872 Pte. James S. Darwent, Coonawarra. SX13569 Pte. Kenneth. J. Grindell. Mundalla. SX7996 L/Sgt. Colin R. Jacka , Adelaide. SX13300 Pte. Leon W. Jackson, Cowell. SX8019 Pte. Elliot Maloney, Birdwood. SX9555 Cpl Charles T. Matthews. Iron Knob. SX7312 Pte. Charles D. Rosenberg. Adelaide. SX7933 Cpl. Walter H. Stewien. Verdun. SX11860 Pte. Eric R. Teakle. Ungarra and SX13709 Pte. Laurence C. Walker. Beverley.
Laurence survived the war and was finally discharged in November ’45.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.