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Walter Edward Dalziell

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Walter Edward Dalziell
Dalziell Walter Edward.jpg
Dalziell Bros WE-GC-ER.jpg
Walter on left, George centre, Ernest on right
Personal Information
Date of Birth c1895
Place of Birth Perth, Western Australia
Death 14-16 Aug 1916
"14-16 Aug 1916" contains more than three components required for a date interpretation.
Place of Death Poziéres, France
Age at Enlistment 20 years, 6 months
Description 5'6" (1.68m) tall ; 142lbs
64.41 kg
; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair
Occupation Carpenter
Religion Methodist
Address Attfield street, Maddington, Western Australia
Next of Kin Father , Mr Walter Parahan Dalziell
Military Information
Reg Number 2806
Date of Enlistment 29 Jun 1915
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 11th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
Date of Embarkation 5 Oct 1915 ‒ 27 Oct 1915
Ship Embarked On HMAT A20 Hororata
Fate Killed in Action 14-16 Aug 1916
Monument Gosnells War Memorial
Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll
Villers-Bretonneux Memorial
Australian War Memorial
Medals 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal



Pre War

War Service

Entered camp on 29 Jun 1915 before being allocated to the 9th reinforcement draft for the 11th battalion on 5 Jul 1915, travelling with them to Egypt. In Egypt on 7 Jan 1916 he was taken on strength by the 11th Battalion, at Tel-el-Kebir and posted to B Company. However, with the reorganisation of the expanded AIF, he was transferred on 29 Feb 1916 to the newly formed 51st Battalion, joining them in camp on 1 Mar 1916. Following some bedding down training, the 51st Battalion sailed form Alexandria on 5 Jun 1916 aboard the HMT Ivernia, arriving in Marseilles and disembarking on 12 Jun 1916.

The next day they boarded rail carriages designed to carry cattle and horses - 8 horses to a carriage or 40 men for the slow two day journey north to Abbeville, but detrained at Caestre and marched to billets at Moolenaker. On 19 Jun 1916 they marched to Sailly sur la Lys where on 22 Jun 1916 they relieved the 3rd Brigade in the front lines.

On 9 Aug 1916 the 51st Battalion were preparing to go into the front lines between Poziéres and Mouquet Farm. On 14 Aug 1916 the 51st Battalion was tasked with capturing an enemy trench known as Fabeck Graben to the right, or east, of Mouquet Farm. While they achieved their objective it was not without heavy casualties and then, over the next two days they were on the receiving end of an extremely heavy, almost continuous bombardment. The very large number of 51st Battalion names on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial is testament to the large number of men lost forever, or unrecognisable to burial parties. Walter would appear to be one of them. Sadly there is no Red Cross file with his name on it, so his death may have not been noticed by anyone who survived.


  • Villers-Bretonneux Memorial
  • Section of the 51st panel at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial
DALZIELL.-Killed in action between August 14 and 16, 1916, in France, Private Walter E. Dalziell, dearly-beloved eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Dalziell, of Maddington, brother of Corporal G. C. (wounded in France), Private E. R. (in camp at Belmont), Albert and Jack, also sisters; aged 21 years 6 months. Loved by all who knew him. His duty done.
DALZIELL.-Killed in action, France, between August 14 and 16, Walter E. Dalziell, beloved friend of Mr., Mrs.. and Miss E. Thorp, Maddington. [1]


Notes

  1. West Australian Thursday 21 September, 1916

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