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From Ballarat & District in the Great War

Lt John 'Jack' Mercer Walker
 
I don’t normally like to telegraph the ending to a story, however, in order to understand the context of the following piece it is perhaps necessary. Many times a moment of synchronicity will dictate the direction of the next person to be featured. In writing about Ras Hansen in my previous post, I mentioned another Ballarat serviceman, Jack Walker. As I typed his name and fate, I realised with a shock of recognition – it was the 22 August: exactly 104 years after the young man’s death. As so often is the case, it seemed he had stepped forward for his story to be told…

John Mercer Walker was born at Ballarat East on 23 February 1888. He was the eldest son and second of five children born to John Thomas Walker and Eliza Grace Bonney. As with all families, the influences on young Jack were many and varied.

Both John Walker and Eliza Bonney were first-generation Australians and were born at Ballarat. Their ancestral backgrounds were also very similar, with the majority of their forebears coming from around London.

Much is known of John Walker, who was always at the forefront of contributors to the Ballarat community. He was born at the family home in Dana Street and was amongst the first intake of students to Ballarat College. When he was in his early 20’s, John began a furniture business on the corner of Dana and Errard Streets, which grew so rapidly he was able to expand to a prominent position at 23 Sturt Street. The continued success of the warehouse business allowed the family to eventually move to a significant dwelling at 1023 Sturt Street.

There can be little doubt that this quite redoubtable man had a positive influence over his children. Known for his strong personality, John Walker was more than capable of expressing his opinions and always showed courage in his convictions, but he was apparently also quite respectful of the views of others. As was once pointed out: he was ‘never a rail sitter.’ He also loved Ballarat and was keen to support the development of the city.

The importance of family links was also evident in the naming of his eldest son, if somewhat obscure. John Walker’s maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Stokes, had married a second time in 1845. Although Jeremiah Mercer was significantly older than his wife, it is clear that there was a fondness for the connection. Indeed, Elizabeth Mercer was living with her grandson when she died on 2 March 1881. It as apparent that she was very much loved by her entire family, so it was a fitting addition to the naming of young Jack Walker.

Being an Old Collegian, it was ultimately expected that John Walker’s sons would also attend what was then Ballarat’s finest secondary school. Jack was to prove an outstanding student. In December 1904, at the annual distribution of prizes, he had topped the class in four subjects – algebra, arithmetic, geometry and French – and was duly named Dux of the school. Results of matriculation examinations were announced the following January, with Jack being one of just 86 country candidates to pass.

Having completed his secondary education, Jack was immediately apprenticed to Ballarat chemist, Alfred Merrill Palmer, for a period of four years. The firm of A. M. Palmer and Co, at 30 Lydiard Street north, was by then one of the oldest chemist and druggist stores in Ballarat. In the June quarterly examinations of 1909, which were held (from 1 to 17 June) at the College of Pharmacy in Swanston Street, Melbourne, Jack passed his final qualifying examination in practical pharmacy.

Jack was also ‘a good all-round athlete.’ He was a prominent rower with the Ballarat City Rowing Club as the stroke in coxed fours. And it was at the Central Cricket Club, where Jack was a playing member, that he first met young Ras Hansen.

In 1912, Jack took out the Old Collegians Cup at the annual sports day, showing a unique turn of speed by winning the 100-yards and coming second in the 220-yards.

Jack looked set for a long career in pharmacy, but careers were quickly put on hold with the advent of war. He was amongst the first volunteers, presenting himself for the compulsory medical at the Ballarat depot on 1 September 1914. Lieutenant-Colonel C. H. W. Hardy (q.v.) found in Jack Walker the ideal recruit – he passed all requirements with ease: he was 5-feet 8¾-inches tall, weighed 138-pounds and could expand his chest to 36-inches.

Of course, we rely heavily on the details included in the medical examination to help picture a particular serviceman, especially as all available photographs are mere variations of black and white. Doctor Hardy suitably recorded that Jack had a fair complexion, with blue eyes and fair hair. He did not note any distinctive marks, no scars or vaccination marks. His religious affiliation was nominated as Methodist.

After travelling to Melbourne, Jack attested at Broadmeadows on 1 October, where his oath was taken and subscribed. He named his mother as his next-of-kin – although, in his Will, Jack named his father as the sole beneficiary, dictating that the estate was to be ‘used at his own discretion.’

Despite not having any military training, Jack had the important advantage of being a qualified chemist. As a consequence, he was immediately assigned to the Australian Army Medical Corps and posted to the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance. Whilst he started at the lowest rank of private (number 884), Jack was given the provisional rank of staff-sergeant, commensurate with his civilian occupation. He was to be employed as a compounder for the unit.

On 23 November at the Ballarat City Rowing Club sheds, the members came together to formally farewell Jack Walker. The popular young oarsman was presented with a wristlet watch by Lieutenant-Colonel Alf Bennett, who expressed the club’s appreciation of Jack’s services as secretary and committeeman. He added that they all hoped Jack would make ‘a speedy and safe return.’

At 5:45pm on 2 February 1915, the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, along with the 3rd Signal Troop and 3rd Light Horse Brigade Train, embarked from the Victoria Docks onboard the steamer Chilka. The Chilka was also carrying 109 horses. The trip to Colombo took 19 days with the Chilka arriving at anchor at 4:20 on 21 February. To these young men, most who had never travelled far beyond home, the sights at Colombo were quite exotic and Jack would have revelled in the experience as the troops route marched through the city streets to the local racecourse.

Jack finally reached Alexandria in Egypt on 9 March. They left on a train for Cairo at 7pm and did not reach camp at Mena (following another route march) until 2:30 in the morning.

It was fully expected that the Light Horse units would remain in Egypt when the AIF was deployed for Gallipoli. However, less than three weeks into the campaign, the men received orders that they were to leave for service as dismounted troops, with the 3rd LHFA serving as stretcher-bearers. They sailed for Gallipoli at daybreak on 17 May. Jack Walker first sighted Cape Helles two days later.

Following a brief stopover at Lemnos, the 3rd LHFA was transferred to the Torpedo Boat Destroyer HMS Wolverine to be carried straight through to ANZAC. Jack landed in a barge at 16:45 on 21 May and, whilst equipment was left on the beach under guard, the remainder of the unit made their way through to Light Horse Gully where they began to “dig in.”

The ensuing months involved a shuttle service between ANZAC and Lemnos. During a period at Mudros, Jack wrote to his father of his adventures.

‘…Since writing to you last I have, been on a submarine, and have also been over the Aquitania. Later, I had a look over the Cornwallis, one of the first battleships engaged at the Dardanelles. I have also had the luck to get a look over the Mauritania, a sister ship to the Lusitania. She is a fine class of boat. Australians get a great welcome from the British seamen on any of the war boats…’

Jack also mentioned another well-known Ballarat soldier,
‘…Alec. White had a very close shave, a bullet or piece of shell ploughed a furrow along the front of his skull, but luckily only caused a flesh wound, and he is back with his regiment…’

Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander White had been slightly wounded on 27 June, but by the time Jack’s letter reached Ballarat, this brave officer had led the first wave of the 8th Light Horse in the attack on Turkish trenches at The Nek on 7 August. He only made a few yards before he was cut down by the merciless Turkish fire.

Jack was deeply affected by the death of popular young Ras Hansen, who was killed at Lone Pine the same day as White. They had only returned from Lemnos a few days earlier…

'…Almost immediately upon the arrival of the corps in the Peninsula, we marched out and found the infantry had been doing great work. During the heavy fighting two of the stretcher-bearers, including poor Ras Hansen, were killed and numbers of others more or less seriously injured. I was very sorry to hear of Ras' death, as were also all who knew him, he being one of the finest fellows about. He was killed doing his best to help a wounded mate - just what one would expect of him. Our bearers had a great deal of work to do that day - 7th August - and had to carry the wounded down a gully absolutely swept with bursting shrapnel. But they kept at it without flinching from dusk the night previously till the Sunday without more than a biscuit and no rest. There were places where they had to rush down with their stretchers, and in one of these one of our party was hit with a number of others. Poor Ras rushed out from where he was taking shelter to help him, and received the full force of another exploding shell. He was killed instantaneously, being hit in the neck and head; but he died gloriously in an endeavour to save his mate's life - a hero's death…
Bullets whizzed all round us last night, and tins at the entrance to our dugout were peppered. The poor QM-Sgt sleeping with me unluckily got a nasty bullet wound in the foot and another bullet went through my boot, but fortunately my foot was not in it…'

Jack finished his time at ANZAC with a four-day stay in hospital before heading to Mudros for duty on 10 November. He returned to Alexandria onboard the transport Caledonia, arriving on Christmas Eve 1915.
The New Year saw a dramatic re-organisation of the AIF, with the majority then heading to the Western Front. For the most part, members of the Light Horse remained in Egypt. For the 3rd LHFA, the most significant engagement of 1916 was at the Battle of Romani on 3-5 August.

As 1917 was building towards a series of very successful victories for the Light Horse, Jack Walker made a very unusual decision: he transferred to the Flying Corps. On 6 August, he was attached to a School of Instruction at the Royal Flying Corps Base Depot, Aboukir. He immediately sent a cable to his father to inform the family of his move.

Jack continued his training at the No3 School of Military Aeronauts at Abbassia on 18 August. After just a month he was transferred to the 21 Reserve Squadron, before moving to the 22nd Reserve Squadron at Aboukir on 23 October. He finished with the 23rd Training Squadron, also stationed at Aboukir, where he graduated on 20 November and was commissioned as a second-lieutenant and appointed as a pilot flying officer.

Learning to fly was only part of the process. Jack needed to become combat ready, so, on 12 December, he was attached to the Instructional School of Aerial Gunnery at Heliopolis for a two-week course.

On 23 January 1918, Jack Walker finally earned his wings, and three days later he was posted to the 40th Wing flying out of Aboukir. Now considered fully qualified, it was time for Jack to leave the temporary detachment to the Royal Flying Corps and, on 19 February, he reported for duty with the No1 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps with the rank of lieutenant. At the time, the squadron was flying Bristol F2B and BE2E aircraft. During this period, the AFC was noted for co-operating with Lawrence of Arabia and his Arab fighters in actions against Turkish forces.

Depending on the theatre of war, the average life expectancy of a fighter pilot was very short. Historians have calculated that it varied from around ten weeks to as little as eleven days. It was a particularly dangerous occupation and pilots were denied the most basic safety equipment. Although parachutes were available, there was a perception that they may encourage pilots to abandon their valuable aircraft at the slightest provocation. As a result, many young men died needlessly. Jack Walker did better than most – he lasted six months. Known by his comrades as “Johnnie Walker,” he was regarded as ‘one of the best.’

On 22 August 1918, Jack was out on patrol near Ramleh in Palestine with Captain Alan Brown, and lieutenants Harold Letch and Garfield Finlay. The enemy, with the advantage of height, crossed the Allied lines and the Australian pilots climbed quickly in an attempt to intercept them. According to witnesses, Jack made the mistake of attacking a fleeing LVG observation aircraft from above, coming into full range of the German rear-gunner. It was believed that his aircraft was hit by explosive bullets, as it suddenly burst into flames. One witness saw Jack jump as his plane crashed into the ground at a place called Ludd. When his body was recovered, it was said to have been so badly burned as to be unrecognisable. It was a horrible way to die.

Later the same day, Chaplain F. G. Hughes buried the young pilot’s remains at the Ramleh Military Cemetery, which was 12½-miles southeast of Jaffa on the railway line to Jerusalem. Members of the No1 Squadron later organised a wooden cross for the grave.

News of Jack’s death quickly reached Ballarat, with Reverend Joseph Snell delivering the sad news to his parents on 26 August. In every way Jack Walker had been a likeable and popular young man, so his untimely death was greeted with general sadness. Deep sympathy was expressed for John and Eliza Walker, who were understandably deeply distressed by the news. The situation was compounded by the knowledge that two other sons, Stan and Harold, were both still on active service.

The return of Jack’s personal effects on 22 January 1919 caused a degree of distress to his parents. John Walker, who was a sitting councillor for the City of Ballarat, contacted the Ballarat Star to express their feelings.

‘…Without any previous notification whatever, a large case containing the effects of Lieut. John Walker, who was killed in Palestine, was dumped down yesterday outside the establishment of his father, Mr J. T. Walker. It seems rather a callous proceeding on the part of the Defence Department to act in this manner. One would have thought that a little consideration would have dictated the despatch of a kindly note a day or two beforehand to the bereaved parents, preparing them for the receipt of articles which must tend to re-open partially healed wounds…’

There was also concern that several items appeared to be missing. The trunk had contained a multitude of things that Jack had carried with him on active service. Along with sundry items of military clothing, there was a holdall that contained three razors, a shaving brush and soap, dental paste, toothbrush, three blue chevrons, three sets of chevrons, mirror, arm band, AFC badge, chain, two handkerchiefs, ruler, housewife, clothes brush, a pair of hairbrushes and comb in a case, a pair of spurs, his Sam Browne belt, a Turkish buckle, two regimental colours, a pipe, two cigarette cases, a tin containing a hypodermic syringe, razor strop, a haversack, four stars, two badges, stud, tie clip, military notes and books, a tin containing a photo, two wallets that contained letters and photos, valise, straps, stretcher and cover, and a key.

John Walker contacted Base Records hoping for answers regarding the missing items.

'…I am informed by a Lieut, who was there when my son's body was found, that there was personal effects and his watch was going at the time and the personal effects were forwarded to Base…'

Eight months later, a second package arrived. The box contained a German helmet, water bottle, linen belt, three photos, a pair of gloves, a soldier’s housewife, scarf, two pieces of alabaster, three brass mugs, a Bible, handkerchief, two brassards, metal crown, cloth crown, magazine, and military notes. There was still no sign of Jack’s watch.

No further word was received…

As the years passed, various groups, schools, and organisations found ways to commemorate those who had served in the Great War. The Ballarat City Rowing Club found a unique way to honour some of their former oarsmen. On 20 January 1923, a large gathering met at the club’s shed to witness the christening of several new boats. Stan Walker was then called on to christen a practice scull, which had been named the “Jack Walker” in honour of his late brother.

On 24 November 1924, Base Records contacted the family after the temporary wooden cross over Jack’s grave at Ramleh had been replaced by a permanent headstone by the Imperial War Graves Commission.

'…I am advised that the tablet was originally placed in position by the late Officer's comrades and doubtless you will appreciate the sentiment which prompted his memory being perpetuated in this manner…'

Stan Walker had the sad task of informing Base Records that his father had died. John Walker had suffered a heart attack in his sleep on 16 August 1921 – within days of the third anniversary of his son’s death.