Walter James FITZGERALD

Badge Number: S1873, Sub Branch: Auburn
S1873

FITZGERALD, Walter James

Service Number: 3486
Enlisted: 19 August 1915, at Adelaide
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 10th Infantry Battalion
Born: Auburn, South Australia, Australia, 28 February 1877
Home Town: Auburn, Clare and Gilbert Valleys, South Australia
Schooling: Auburn Primary School, South Australia
Occupation: Farmer
Died: 19 September 1940, aged 63 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Auburn General Cemetery
Memorials: Auburn Primary School WW1 Honor Roll, Auburn RSL Community Centre
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World War 1 Service

19 Aug 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3486, 27th Infantry Battalion, at Adelaide
12 Jan 1916: Embarked Private, 3486, 27th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Borda, Adelaide
12 Jan 1916: Involvement Private, 3486, 27th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: ''
28 Feb 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 10th Infantry Battalion, Transferred from the 27th battalion to the 10th battalion
25 Jul 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 3486, 10th Infantry Battalion, Shrapnel wound to right arm shoulder
25 Jul 1916: Wounded 3486, 10th Infantry Battalion
11 Jul 1917: Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 3486, 10th Infantry Battalion, Discharged from service due to injury to his right shoulder
11 Nov 1918: Involvement Private, 3486, 10th Infantry Battalion

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Biography contributed by Saint Ignatius' College

Walter James Fitzgerald was the son of Mrs Margret Fitzgerald and was born in Auburn, South Australia on the 28th February 1877. Walter Fitzgerald was a single 38 year old farmer when he enlisted on August 19th 1915. He was assigned to the 27th battalion, 8th reinforcements with the service number of 3486.

Walter James Fitzgerald was tall man for the times. The average height for males at the time was 5’8” and Walter was over 6’.

On January 11th 1916, he disembarked with the 8th reinforcements to Alexandria via HMAT A30 Boarda. When he arrived at the desination, they took the train to Tel el Kebir, which was a camp. There, until March 28th, he stayed with his battalion, training and doing route marching. While he was there, officers were reallocated and a number of officers re-joined the battalion. On February 27th a command was received stating that he will be transferred from the 27th battalion to the 10th. Finally, after many weeks of rigorous training, on the 28th March, the 10th and 9th battalion boarded Saxonia and headed to France.

On April 2nd at 11am, he reached Marseilles and entrained to Godewaersvelde. He then marched to Moolenacker and billeted there. There, he with his battalion, did route marching and training. On 20th of April he travelled to Meteren and occupied billets there.

On 6th June, Walter James Fitzgerald, with his battalion, moved to the right sector of the Pertillon firing lines. While moving, they suffered only one casualty (private 2958 Searle) and shortly after midnight, the artillery bombed the Germans, raining shells on them. The next day there was considerable artillery from both sided, the right company were heavily shelled and V.C. Avenue was also shelled and damaged. Twice during this time, gas alarms sounded but no gas came and the 11th battalion was raided.

On July 22nd at 10pm, the 10th battalion went via Black Watch Alley to support the 9th battalion at Pozieres. During their advance to their position, they were heavily shelled with poison gas and H.E. shells. This caused sever casualties and delayed the advance.

Two days later, they got orders from the general to contrast a trench and to hold it in anticipation of an attack. B and C company were assigned to this task and they dug the trench by midnight. During this time, a party of 36 bombers and 20 bayonet men were detailed to help capture Shong post. Arrangements were also made for a gun to fire 5 rounds every half hour at the post. At 1am B company was withdrawn and they soon captured the post.

On July 25th, at 9am, a number of Germans in dark clothing advanced over the ridge, they immediately got 5 machine guns and 50 rifles on them. At least 50 men fell and the German retreated back over the ridge. The Germans were then met by shell fire, which caused them to return to the ridge. Their gun fire then drove the Germans back, killing a number of them. At an unknown time during all of this, Walter James Fitzgerald got wounded with shrapnel to his right arm.

On July 27th he was sent to England to get treated and one day later was admitted to Graylingwell War Hospital, located in Chichester. On August 15th he was officially reported wounded and a cable was sent telling his family this.  

On 26th August, he was transeferred to Harefield Hospital and two days later his family was advised over the telephone. On October 2nd, he was discharged to Weymouth and a month later he was discharged to Worgret camp. On March 2nd 1917, he was marched out to Verne Citaded then proceeded to Weymouth. O

On April 5th 1917, he was marched out for embarkment to Australia. And 10 days later he returned to Australia via H.J. Barambah. On July 11th 1917, he was officially discharged due to his debility.

Walter James Fitzgerald then returned to Auburn and proceeded with a quiet life of farming. He died on September 19th 1940 at the age of 63 and was buried at Auburn cemetery. He received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

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