Private GREENHAM Walter James F (Service No. 4418)

Born at Stroud on the 27th of October 1888, Walter was the 3rd of 8 children to Thomas and Mary (nee Alice) of Ashvale, Mill Creek near Stroud.

Working as a Station Hand in Rockhampton Queensland, Walter enlisted on the 23rd of December 1915 aged 27 years. After enlistment formalities, Walter spent time with the 10th Battalion between the 23rd of December until the 6th of January 1916, then the 34th Battalion from the 7th of January until the 24th of February and the 13th Battalion from the 25th to the 27th of February before finally arriving at the 11th Reinforcements, 26th Battalion at Enogra on the 1st of March.

The 26th Battalion had arrived in France in March 1916, and moved to the trenches for the Western Front in April. In early June, with the 28th Battalion, they took part in the first raid undertaken by Australians in France, attacking German trenches around Bois Grenier.

The 11th Reinforcements departed Alexandria on the 10th of May to join the BEF, arriving at Marseilles on the 18th of May to join the 2nd Division at Etaples on the 5th of June. On the 26th of July, Walter proceeded to his unit joining them on 28th during the Battalion’s first major battle, which came around Pozières between July and August. After this action the battalion was sent along with the entire 2nd Division to a quieter sector in Belgium having suffered over 650 casualties. During this quiet period, on the 25th of September Walter was charged with ‘Neglect to obey Order’ the previous day and was awarded 72 hours forfeiture of pay.

In November the Battalion moved south to the Somme Valley and throughout the month they participated in two attacks around a position known as “The Maze”, a salient to the east of Flers. Both attacks ultimately proved fruitless, grinding to a halt in the muddy conditions that led to the harsh winter of 1916/17 where they occupied defensive positions along the front and training behind the lines.

Christmas was spent in the trenches around Amiens, but in early January 1917, the 26th Battalion was transferred to the Ancre Valley and then to Le Sars later in the month. On the 22nd of February Walter was admitted to the 6th Field Ambulance with abrasions and transferred to the 2nd Division Rest Station on the 3rd of March. He was discharged to duty on the 12th and rejoined his unit the next day.

As the German Army withdrew towards the Hindenburg Line, the 26th Battalion was involved in a number of actions at Warlencourt and Lagnicourt in March.

As part of the final throes of the British Army’s Arras offensive, a renewed attempt was made to secure the fortified village of Bullecourt. The Australian 2nd Division and the British 62nd Division attacked at 3.45 am on the 3rd of May 1917. While the 26th Battalion used mainly in a support role during the initial attack it was on this day that Walter was ‘Wounded in Action’. He was taken to the 6th Australian Field Ambulance with shrapnel wounds to both knees. On the 4th he was transferred to the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station where he was treated for the shrapnel wounds and a gunshot wound to the buttock. Sadly, he died the following day, the 5th of May 1917, aged 28 years. Walter was buried at the Grevilliers Cemetery by Reverend T.C. Walters.

His personal effects were listed as: Discs, Belt, Fountain pen, Metal mirror, Devotional Book, Note Book, Writing case, 12 coins, Regimental colours, 2 Photo, Cards, Letters. Also a Scarf, Pr Mittens, 2 kit bag handles, 2 Knives, Metal ring, 5 Coins.

Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Cemetery: Grevillers British Cemetery, France. Plot III, Row B, Grave 16.

Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour;

Springsure Shire of Bauhinia Roll of Honour;

Gloucester Memorial Clock Tower.

“Lest We Forget”

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