SHAIN, Walter Daniel
| Other Name: | SPAIN, Walter Daniel - Listing on Kalamunda Honour Roll and Stirk Park Memorial Walk |
|---|---|
| Service Number: | WX9667 |
| Enlisted: | 6 December 1940, Claremont, WA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia, Australia, 12 October 1916 |
| Home Town: | Pickering Brook, Kalamunda, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Engine Driver |
| Died: | Presumed, Papua, 1 September 1942, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Tree Plaque: |
Kalamunda Stirk Park Memorial Walk
|
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kalamunda Darling Range Road District Roll of Honour, Port Moresby (Bomana) Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, WX9667 | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Dec 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, WX9667, 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion, Claremont, WA |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Jul 1941: | Embarked Private, WX9667, Embarked at Fremantle for Middle East |
|---|
WW2
The details provided are taken from the book "1000 Men at War" the history of the 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion, published 1959, refer to page 141. Walter was born 12th Oct 1916, and prior to the war he was a packer of Victoria Park WA. He served with the 2nd/16th Inf Bn with the rank of Private. Unfortunately, he was declared Missing in Action (believed KIA) 1st Sept 1942. Rest In Peace. Lest We Forget.
Submitted 14 May 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by David Flint
The son of Walter V. Spain of Pickering Brook, Walter Daniel had changed his name on enlistment to Shain and becoming at the age of twenty five WX9667 Shain, W G 2/16TH A.I.F. 7th Division.
Army records show the cold hard fact that the 7th Div. of which Walter Shain was a part, had returned from the North African Campaign and was ent on 12/08/1942 to New Guinea. From Egypt to New Guinea (open desert to a hidden army in the jungle). Such a demand for this quick adjustment of an army vastly different warfare was rare, if not unknown in WW2.
Shaggy Ridge in New Guinea was the scene of grim fighting from January 19-31, 1944, by the Australian 7th Division. Aimed at cutting Japanese routes from Finnesterre mountain range, Major-General George Vasey set brigadier Frederick Chilton the task of capturing a key feature, the Kaniryo Saddle. The action plan was for that one battalion to fight along the main ridge while two more battalions moved along parallel ridges, converging at Kaniryo Saddle. The 18th Brigade began action on January 19, and by January 26, Kaniryo Saddle had been captured. However, the enemy stayed on at Crater Hill, attacked by air and artillery bombardment. /Their defence collapsed January 31, with the survivors withdrawing towards Paipa. The 18th Brigade lost 46 men with 147 being wounded.
Private Shain is memoralised in the Papua War Cemetery.
Living at Pickering Brook, Walter Shain had worked as an engine driver. Would this have been the realization of a childhood dream? And did his dream involve becoming the engine driver on the single line from Midland to Canning mills through the beautiful hills, valleys and bush? The dream would have been far removed from Shaggy Ridge wehre his twenty six years of life ended.
Malcolm King
Biography contributed by Carol Foster
Son of Walter Valentine and Elizabeth Emma Shain of Pickering Brook, Western Australia