BICK, Walter Tyson (aka John BECK)
| Service Numbers: | 1973, Q194912 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 November 1915, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | District Accounts Office (Qld) |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland , 12 November 1899 |
| Home Town: | Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Stockman |
| Died: | Natural causes, Toowoomba, Queensland, 24 December 1972, aged 73 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 23 Nov 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1973, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Apr 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1973, 1st Pioneer Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney | |
| 14 Apr 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1973, 1st Pioneer Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 23 Oct 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1973, 1st Pioneer Battalion, Third Ypres, GSW (right shoulder) | |
| 17 Jul 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1973, 1st Pioneer Battalion |
World War 2 Service
| 24 Feb 1940: | Enlisted Private, Q194912, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Feb 1940: | Promoted Corporal | |
| 24 May 1940: | Promoted Sergeant | |
| 3 Dec 1940: | Discharged Sergeant, Q194912, District Accounts Office (Qld) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Edwards
'John Beck' was a 'boy' soldier. Much of the information in his file is correct, apart from name and age. His real name was Walter Tyson Bick, born 12 Nov 1899, Brisbane. He was the son of William Charles Bick and Mabel Frances Doneley, married Toowoomba 4 Dec 1896 and divorced in Melbourne, Nov 1904 (see Argus, 16 Nov 1904, p 10). Mother remarried (Smallman), Toowoomba 10 May 1905, but died Kilcoy 29 Oct 1909, aged 32. (The false name is derived from Walter's brother John Bick, 26 Nov 1900-24 Jan 1901.)
Walter was probably raised by his mother's brother, Aloysius Doneley, and wife Mary. Mary 'Donnelly' of Tyson Manor, Toowoomba, now part of Downlands College, is listed as next of kin for 'John Beck'. After schooling (in unknown locations), Walter worked as a stockman on one or more of the many family properties.
There are multiple references to nephew of the Doneley's, Walter, being under age: see National Leader, Fri 8 Dec 1916, p3; wounded – Fri 23 Nov 1917, p 5; returning - Fri 7 Jun 1918, p 4. And a later reference in business: Bris Courier Wed 1 Jul 1925, p 12. There are many other ref. to Walter's business life in various newspapers on Trove.
For official confirmation, see his Repat medical files listed in Nat. Archives under the name of Walter Tyson Bick but with the service No. 1973 and details matching those of 'John Beck'. Walter re-enlisted in WW2, but was discharged after a few months, Dec 1940. His papers in Nat. Archives correctly claim service in WW1, Egypt & France, but don't state his false name.
Walter died 24 Dec 1972 but I'm not sure where he is buried, nor wife Thelma (Reed). I believe there were no children. His medals are held by someone in the Doneley family. His father, William Charles Bick, lived in Melbourne (d. 18 Nov 1950), re-married 1912, had four children, and six g'children all still living. My wife is a g'daughter of William's younger brother, Alfred Thomas 'Tom' Bick. Both these brothers moved from Brisbane to Melbourne.
Walter's step-father, Gilbert Crawford Smallman, returned to Victoria after Mabel's death, and settled back into Gippsland areas, then Melbourne. Like William Bick, he also died in 1950. He was from Bairnsdale originally. - Submitted by Bernard Metcalfe