Portrait of Walter Andrews, published in The Queenslander Pictorial, 17 May 1917
Indigenous Australian, Walter Andrews, 15th Infantry Battalion
Walter Ernest Andrews (1889-1951) was born at Bawley Point, NSW to James Andrews and Rachel Claydon, a Budawang woman. A widower, he was residing in Lismore when he enlisted 20 May 1916, leaving behind his 5 year old daughter Dulcie Maud. Similar to many enlistments from Lismore, Walter trained at Rifle Range infantry camp, Enoggera, Brisbane prior to embarking on HMAT Boonah for service overseas.
Walter was hospitalised with influenza and mumps when he reached England, then proceeded to France where he served with his battalion on the Western Front. Walter was wounded several times in 1918, first to the knee, then a shell wound to the left arm, after which he was invalided to England.
Studio portrait of 6610 Private Walter Ernest Andrews, 15th Infantry Battalion. Image courtesty of the Australian War Memorial, Accession HO1490
Walter met and married Winifred Beatrice Gaunt, (1900-1950) from Essex while he was recuperating in England, and they returned together aboard HMAT Demothenes, 19 September 1919. Walter and Winifred had five children, two died in infancy. Walter died in 1951, age 62
His brothers Thomas Leslie Andrews and Arthur George Andrews also served.
Read more ...
- Service record: ANDREWS, Walter Ernest
- Image: Australian War Memorial
- AWM Unit Diary: 15th Infantry Battalion, July 1918
- One of the soldiers featured in SLQ’s HistoryPin Collection
Watch ...
- Queensland’s Indigenous Servicemen [digital story and oral history, 12 mins, MP4]
The information in this blog post has been researched by State Library staff and volunteers, it is based on available information at this time. If you have more information that you would like to share or further research uncovers new findings, this post will be updated.
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