Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Walter Baxter's early youth was spent in the Goulburn district. Here, he became interested in military affairs and joined the Citizen's Forces as an officer attached to the 2nd Militia Regiment. When the South African war broke out, he volunteered for service and served throughout various campaigns from 1900 to 1903 as a Captain on the Imperial Staff. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal (3 Clasps) and King’s South Africa Medal (2 Clasps).

After his return, he served for a time as area officer at Lithgow. When the Great War commenced, his services were accepted, and he was appointed quartermaster of the training camp at Liverpool. When the 2nd Division was being formed, Victoria was short of officers and Major Baxter, together with other New South Wales officers were attached to the 24th Battalion. He sailed for the Middle East in early July 1915 in the HMAT Barambah. His batman was 2347 Private (later Lieutenant) Harold Joseph Cunningham a Sydney based solicitor.

The conditions in Egypt affected his health and he was forced to return to Australia in October 1915 suffering from pneumonia. He became camp commandant at the Addison Road Army Depot (Marrickville) and later resumed his old position at Liverpool, before being the Officer Commanding the Berrima Interment Camp.

He undertook tours of duty with the Sea Transport Service in 1917 and also in 1919 during the deportation of enemy subjects after the war.

Colonel Walter Baxter VD, who was associated with the military life in NSW for 50 years, died suddenly while travelling in a tram from his home in Kensington to the city to visit his seriously ill daughter Minna in hospital on Wednesday, 18 January 1928. He was 66 years of age. He was survived by his wife Eliza (nee Eather) [1860-1944] and four daughters, although sadly Minna passed away three days after her father's death.

References:

http://nla.gov.au/nla.newsarticle224226309

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180154579

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219685798