WILLIAMS Walter John

Walter was the first born son of John & Henrietta Williams, born about 1879 in Brecon Wales. His Father was a Locomotive Fireman with the Railway.

While in England he had served 12 years with the Cavalry Garrison Artillary and possibly served during the Boer War.

On enlistment he was aged 37years old and gave his occupation as a painter living at Witta on the NC Line Landsborough.

His Mother Henrietta was listed as his next of kin living in Hampstead London.

He left Sydney on board the Demosthenes on 22nd December 1916 and disembarked in Plymouth in March 1917. He was put in command of the Bombing School at Lyndhurst He proceeded to France in 1918, with the 47th Battalion.

He was granted leave and returned to England from 5th April 1919 until 5th October. On the 25th September, 1919 he married Hetty Phoebe Woods, a widow at St Peters Church of England Hammersmith England. Hetty was 27 years old and Walter aged 40.

He and his wife returned to Australia on the Themistocles boarding 4 years after he had left Sydney. They arrived in Australia in February 1920.

He was discharged from the AIF on the 28th March, 1920.

(I found a Walter John Williams, a Painter living in Rockhampton in the 1930 Electoral Rolls, but cannot confirm it is Walter. Couldn't find any further information on Hetty.)

Member of Maleny Rifle Club (Chronicle, 12 July 1918)

Witta and District Roll of Honor, Maleny R.S.L. Memorial Hall, Bunya Street, Maleny

Shire of Landsborough Roll of Honour, Caloundra RSL, West Terrace, Caloundra