Photo Gallery
William Howard WALTHALL
| Rank | Reg/Ser No | DOB | Enlisted | Discharge/Death | Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pte | 2268 | 26y5m | 18 Mar 1916 | 4 May 1917 KA | 4 & 7 |
Private William Howard Walthall (1890 -1917)
Family background and early life
William Howard Walthall was born in Brisbane on 10 October 1890, son of Christopher and Ada Marie Walthall of Bailey Street, New Farm, members of Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Brisbane. The family was involved in the work of the Sunday School. William had three brothers, Barrie, Elbert and Cecil. He attended Brisbane Grammar School in 1905 and prepared to follow farming as a career. When he, a single man, enlisted for service abroad on 18 March 1916, his occupation was an orchardist.
Enlistment and service overseas
Private Walthall, service number 2268, sailed with the Fourth Reinforcements for the 49th Battalion from Brisbane on HMAT Boorara on 16 August 1916.
Joining the 25th Battalion in England he embarked for France on SS Princess Victoria at the end of the year.
Killed at Bullecourt
He was killed in action at Bullecourt, France on the 3 or 4 May 1917. This was the Second Battle of Bullecourt. Australian and British soldiers attacked at 3.45am on 3 May 1917.
The Australians penetrated the German line but met determined opposition which frustrated the envelopment plan. A few days later, the Germans did withdraw. Although the locality was of little or no strategic importance, the actions were nevertheless extremely costly. AIF casualties totalled 7,482 from three Australian Divisions.
William Howard Walthall has no known grave. Along with thousands of other Australians killed in France and who have no known grave, his name is remembered with honour at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
On the three walls which are faced with Portland stone, are the names of 10,885 Australians who were killed in France and who have no known grave. One of these is William Howard Walthall, commemorated with these words:
And in Australia, William’s name appears on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, the Roll of Honour at Brisbane Grammar School and on the brass plaque on the wall of the Merrington Anzac Memorial Peace Chapel at Saint Andrew’s Uniting Church which honours 41 soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice in World War 1.
The Lord is my strength and my song and is become my Salvation.
Compiled by Noel E. Adsett, Brisbane. September 2014 ©
SLQ Historypin – Linking our digital stories to the world.
The Lives, Links and Legacy Stories are being shared through the State Library of Queenland's QANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation Historypin Hub. Visit this site:
Know anything about this person or want to contribute more information?
Please contact Miriam at staheritage@gmail.com
