Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Wally was a big man from birth, born in Gatton on 13 June 1916. Wally grew up and went to school at Ropeley in the rural country side of Gatton, eventually meeting and marrying Edna Brooking (referred to as Myrle) in the Lutheran Church of Ropeley, Queensland on 22 December 1934. Wally’s days in rural Queensland were coming to an end as he finds his way through the employment opportunities and finds a growing need to head for Brisbane and secure a job to bring up a growing family. Well like so many before him the Prison Service offered an opportunity that could not be missed, and hence on 29 November 1939 he became a temporary warder at Boggo Road Prison. To facilitate a growing family Wally bought a house at 52 Park Road West and this would allow their children to attend the Dutton Park Primary School. It was a further two years of disciplined work on varied rosters before he was appointed as a warder. 

Hostilities in Europe were gaining momentum and on 30 December 1940 he was granted special leave to join the Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF) to serve his country. Well 5 years and 1 month later Wally is discharged from the RAAF after serving 516 days in New Guinea and Borneo. Yes there is still more, because he took special leave from the prison service he was granted after application, 21 days paid leave for each year’s service in the RAAF with a total of 105 days paid leave. Wally was granted cash equivalent for the 105 days, this sum of money would have been very handy just after the war. In February Wally rejoins the staff at Boggo Road Prison to continue his chosen career. Somewhere in late 1940s Wally, transfers to Townsville’s Stuart Creek Prison on promotion to Senior Warder. Stuart Creek Prison was hard for Wally, for his family maintained stability in Brisbane while he continued his career alone in Townsville. It was the early hours of Saturday 3 September 1955 that set in motion a number of changes to Wally’s life that he could not avoid. On Friday a protagonist prisoner was released from the prison only to return the next morning to attempt a mass breakout of prisoners, this aided with a .45 calibre hand gun he managed to enter the gate area. While in this restricted place he cut wires to the telephone and got a sharp kick when he cut into the electrical wires, this did not deter him and now he went about cutting his way into the armoury. Once into the armoury he removed all the revolvers to the gate area, the noise caused concern and a fire fight started between two warders on nightshift and the ex-prisoner. There were projectiles flying everywhere and Big Wally found an opportunity to get between gates and come around behind the villain, Wally pounced on him with all 18 stone in weight and subdued this rogue. There were many prominent persons stating that he should be awarded for his gallantry on that day. This did happen, but not until the New Year’s Honours list was gazetted on 1 January 1961, Wally was presented with the award, British Empire Medal (Civil Division) with ‘Crossed Silver Oak Leaves’ (referred to as Gallantry Emblem) at Government House. It should be noted that this is the only known BEM awarded to a serving prison officer in Queensland.

Jack Farrell was with Wally on that day as Chief Officer; Jack was always one rank above Wally throughout their careers. Wally had been promoted since the incident and was now a Chief Prison Officer at Boggo Road Prison and Jack was his Deputy Superintendent. Wally was now back to living with and in the family home. Later on during the sixties Wally was transferred to the new prison at Wacol and performed duties there as a chief until returning to the Road. Experience was on Wally’s side and the opportunity for further promotion was in the offering, Principle Prison Officer was the next promotion and out of uniform and into civilian clothing for Wally. As Principle Prison Officer, Wally was called upon to conduct many reviews and investigations into the operation of various facilities within the State, and this he did with great gusto. Wally was also a participant in many prisoner escorts using the prison rail carriage No. 773 from Roma St. Station to Etna Creek and Stuart Creek. Because of this promotion Wally was required to live on the prison reserve and he moved in with his wife and youngest son Alan to a house at the rear of the prison, next to the old Lock Hospital, Wally’s other son and daughter were now married and independently living elsewhere. Wally passed away suddenly on 9 June 1974 - just short of his 57th birthday - while living in the prison residence at the rear of Boggo Road Prison. Wally was one big man with a slightly shy demeanour, ruffle his feathers however and you would never forget him. “This man’s deeds should never be forgotten, for he led by example.” - from the Boggo Road Bugle No.61, 2016