ADDISON, Walter Sinclair
| Service Number: | 308 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 July 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Port Adelaide, South Australia, 12 August 1878 |
| Home Town: | Bowden, Charles Sturt, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith's farrier |
| Died: | Natural causes, Adelaide, South Australia, 17 November 1929, aged 51 years |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) Section: LO, Road: 4S, Site No: 11 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide South Australian Railways WW1 & WW2 Honour Boards, Kilburn Islington Railway Workshops Honour Roll, Woodside District of Onkaparinga Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 308, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 308, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Katuna embarkation_ship_number: A13 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Sergeant, 308, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Katuna, Adelaide | |
| 20 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 308, 32nd Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 32nd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) |
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Medals: Military Medal AND Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Biography contributed by Oli TOMECKO
Walter Sinclair Addison was born on the 12th of August 1878 at Port Adelaide. Walter was 5’5.25” he was of fit healthy complexion and part of the Church of England. He later enlisted in the A.I.F on the 1st of July 1915 and joined the 32nd Battalion in the transport section as a Sergeant. Before the war, Walter was a Blacksmith Farrier in South Australia, he was first married to Emma Elizabeth in 1904 who later passed away in 1911. Walter and Emma had a child together and he died in 1910 at just 2 years and 3 months old. Walter later remarried to Maggie Isobel Addison in 1915 just before leaving for war. They had one daughter together, Laura May.
Walter departed Australia on the 11th of November 1915 on board the HMAT A13 Katuna, they arrived in Suez on the 16 December 1915, after completing his training he left Alexandria to join with the British Expeditionary Force.
While at war he was admitted to the 5th Field Ambulance with Myalgia on the 8th of December 1916, he was then transferred to the General Hospital in Rouen on the 12th of December. He was then transferred once more to the 2nd London General Hospital on the 17th of December 1916, before being temporarily discharged and on the 12th of January 1917. He was finally sent to the Perham downs command depot on the 27th of January 1917, he was sent there to heal up and get ready to return to war. Walter then proceeded to travel to France on the 8th of February and rejoining battler on the 12th of February 1917
After a routine ration dump was being performed on the 23rd of June 1918, Walters battalion was bombed by enemy forces. Walter was congratulated for his courage and initiative for what he did to get them back on the road before the enemy was able to bomb them again. He was awarded a British War Medal for his courage.
Whilst delivering supplies and hot food to the troops on the front line in Morcourt Valley on the night of the 8th/9th of august 1918. Walters battalion was bombed, and an enemy shell fell near the transport with some troops getting concussions from the shell. While others were still recovering, Walter got right back up and immediately got to work getting the transport to continue moving, he continued through heavy machine gun fire from planes above. For this bravery, he was awarded the Military Medal.
Later on in the war on the 29th of September, Walter's battalion was once again caught by extremely heavy artillery fire whilst delivering ammunition and water to the front lines in the Bellicourt sector. Walter then attempted to continue but was unable due to the amount of weapon fire there was, later on in the night he went on a pack animal and delivered the food, water and ammunition to 100 yards to the front line he then did it once more this time 200 yards from the front line. He was awarded a Bar to Military Medal for his actions.
On the 6th of November Walter was admitted to the 8th Field Ambulance after contracting influenza and was released on the 11th of November.
Walter arrived back in Australia on board the HT Wyreema on the 13th of April 1919 and was honourably discharged from the A.I.F on the 20th of July 1919
Walter died 17th November 1929 and is buried at the West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.
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