WALKER, Jonathan Laurence St. Clair
| Service Number: | 2858 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 August 1915, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 24th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Romsey, Vic., 1895 |
| Home Town: | Wychitella, Loddon, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Bolinda State School |
| Occupation: | Storekeeper |
| Died: | At Home, Hampshire Road, Sunshine, Vic., 1948, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Preston General Cemetery, Bundoora, Victoria Row P Grave 10361 |
| Memorials: | Bolinda State School Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2858, 24th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 2858, 24th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
| 27 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 2858, 24th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ulysses, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Peter Sneddon
L. Walker likely refers to Laurence (Johnathan Laurence St Clare) Walker.
Laurence was born in 1895 to John James Walker and Jane Stevens (married 1875), who also had Albert John (b. 1877), Frederick (b. 1879), Louisa May (b. 1882), Florence Lily (b. 1884), Sarah Jane (b. 1886), Isabel (b. 1887), James Clyde (b. 1890) and Leslie Arthur (b. 1897). Laurence attended Bolinda School sometime between 1899 and 1913 along with Isabel, James and Sarah Jane.
Laurence was 20 years old when he enrolled in July 1915. At that time he had been working as a storekeeper. His brother, Leslie, also enlisted and fought in World War I (Service No. 3294) though he does not appear to have attended Bolinda School.
Laurence began his time in the Great War in Egypt and was later transferred to France. While fighting in France he was promoted to Lance Corporal and later Corporal, Sergeant and 2nd leuitenant. By October 1917 he was invalided and placed on the regimental seconded list due to nephritis and possible trench fever.
He was returned to Australia early aboard the “Euripides” in January 1918 due to his poor health. His brother, Leslie, had suffered from trench foot during his time in the war. Trench nephritis was an inflammation of the kidneys, trench fever was an infection cause by louse faeces, and trench foot was swelling and infection of the feet caused by extended periods of damp and cold which could sometimes lead to amputation .
After the war, Laurence returned to Wychitella to work as a labourer. He appears to have continued in this fashion until his death in 1948, excepting for a brief stay with his brother, sister-in-law and their children in Albert Street, Mordiallac in the mid-1930s. Laurence remained unmarried.