| Rank | Sgt. |
| Service # | 401526 |
| Unit # | 33rd |
| 24th Reg. | Yes |
| Resident | Wallaceburg |
RSM.(MiD and MdH Fr.) Regimental number, 401526. Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box: 450-1, Item: 35722, PDF: – B0450-S001. Date of Birth: 23/12/1881, at London, England. Next of Kin: Mrs. Florence Barnes, wife Living in Wallaceburg, Kent Co., ON. (Box 463 Wallaceburg) The father of Glady 1911 and Doris 1815 living in Wallaceburg. Occupation: Fire Chief. Attestatation: 28/08/1915 at London, ON. to the 33rd Battalion for overseas duty. Age at enlistment 33 years 8 Mos. He had 12 years in the Imperial Forces before enlisting in the CEF. He had a dagger tattoo on his right forearm.
Walter was reported promoted to the rank of Corporal 25/09/15 and to Sgt. 30/22/15 while with the 33rd Batt. He was reported suffering from Mayalgia (aka: muscle pain – usually from overuse or over stretching) he was 34 years old at the time and those older muscles used in basic training may be taxed for the first time in a while.
Walter and the 33rd Battalion left for England aboard the S.S.Lapland 13/03/16 arriving at Liverpool, England 26/03/16. While training in England he suffered a contusion to the left eye while practicing bayonet fighting. He was treated at West Cliff, and then sent to No.13 at the Canadian Eye & Ear Hospital at Folkstone, England. After examination and treating the eye for swelling and infamation . There was a slight wound on the left eye lid and after treatment he was deemed 6/6 (aka 20/20) and returned to his unit, 4/05/16. He was back to 1st B. C. Hospital – Shoncliffe complaing of Neuritis (pain in the shoulders and hips) – nothing was found.
Walter was transferred to the 1st Batt. CEF. 28/06/16 to active service in France. He was wounded 3/05/17. He suffered a GSW to his thigh. 15/05/17 transported to the Military Hospital at Epson, England.
After treatment he was reassigned to the Western Ontario Region stationed in England awaiting his ‘Medical Board’, While with the WOR he was promoted to CSM 31/07/17.
Walter was Mentioned In Dispatches 24/02/17 by no other that Sir Douglas Haig in the London Gazette 4/01/17. He would also receive the Medaille de Honeur from the French received 5/11/1920
He shipped out of Southhampton aboard the S. S. Aquitania 18/05/1919 and arrived in Halifax 25/05/1919. Walter was discharged 28/05/1919 at No.1 Dist. Depot – London, ON.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | Wallaceburg News (02-11-1916), Chatham Daily Planet (28-05-1919), No Return Ticket - Wallaceburg War Casualties - Alan Mann 2002, LAC-FMF |
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