Walter Leslie Dawes

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 26/08/2015 - 10:46

First Name:

Walter

Middle Name:

Leslie

Last Name:

Dawes

Date of Birth:

Sunday, January 13, 1895

Mother's Name:

Mary Ann (nee Prior)

Father's Name:

Caleb Dawes

Date Enlisted:

Monday, February 28, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

45th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Sunday, September 13, 1970

Place of Death:

Burwood, N.S.W.

Details:

Walter Dawes (Service No 2167) was born in Dapto, N.S.W. Walter had spent 2 years in the Cadets and 1 year with 37th infantry CMF before he enlisted. At enlistment was single, 21 years of age, and working as a farmer.

On 22nd August 1916 he embarked from Sydney for overseas service on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire, but when the ship arrived in Fremantle, Walter was admitted to hospital suffering from the mumps. When he recovered, Walter was boarded on HMAT A23 Suffolk on 10th October 1916 with 2nd Reinforcements, 1st Battalion.

Walter was wounded on a number of occasions. On 6 May 1917 Walter was reported missing, but had actually been admitted to hospital after sustaining wounds in fighting. Walter was more seriously wounded on 10th August 1918, when he was admitted to hospital for treatment to gun shot wounds to his right arm and chest.

In January 1919 he was returned to Australia, and discharged medically unfit on 27th February 1920.

On 23rd June 1923 he married Jane Oyston at Dapto.

Walter's brother Hollis Dawes (Service No 4499) was killed in action during the war.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, DAWES W L