Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Walter was born in March 1918 in North Sydney, youngest son to Fred and Ruby Alcock. He and his family relocated to settle in Melbourne, where he attended Deepdene State School in Canterbury, then Melbourne High School in South Yarra. After passing his Intermediate Certificate, Walter enrolled at Melbourne University to study law.

Walter, aged 22, joined the Australian Citizens Military Forces in January 1941 shortly after qualifying as a solicitor from Melbourne University. After training in Seymour, he joined the 29/46th Infantry Battalion, which transferred to Brisbane as part of the 4th Infantry Brigade, and trained at Caloundra and Coomera. The battalion embarked on the United States Liberty Ship ‘Jason Lee’ on 21 February 1943 for Milne Bay, the Allied port at the eastern end of New Guinea.

After six months garrison duties at Milne Bay the 29/46th went into action at Lae, landing by barge on 30 September. Walter led his platoon on patrols in the hills to secure surrounding villages. In October 1943, his battalion joined the Huon Campaign frontline at Finschhafen.

With stiffening enemy resistance in the Huon Peninsula, the 29/46th Battalion was ordered to advance northward along the coastal strip, to secure the beach at the mouth of the Masaweng River and Fortification Point. Fighting was fierce for two months. Platoons probed forward and were continuously met by Japanese snipers and machine guns. The country was a mix of thick jungle, steep gullies, creek beds and tall kunai grass.

On December 17, while on patrol at Fortification Point, Lieut. Alcock was shot and, despite desperate efforts to bring him to safety, died later of his wounds.