Walter Puckeridge

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 19/12/2016 - 07:47

First Name:

Walter

Last Name:

Puckeridge

Date of Birth:

Monday, August 24, 1896

Mother's Name:

Mary Ann Puckeridge nee Simpson

Father's Name:

Edward Puckeridge

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, July 12, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

Machine Gun Battalion 6

Service:

Artillery

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, June 7, 1951

Place of Death:

Sydney Hospital

Details:

Walter Puckeridge (Service No 615) was born in Wollongong, N.S.W.

At enlistment in Tasmania, Walter stated his age as 22, when he was in fact only 20 years old. He was single and worked as a groom. Walter had served previously with the 37th Infantry of the CMF. Walter nominated his brother Joseph as his next of kin, however, because Joseph was on active service, this was changed to his sister, Mrs Minnie Jones of Sydney.

Walter embarked from Melbourne on RMS Omrah with 10th Reinforcements, 6th Machine Gun Company on 17th January 1917 and arrived in England on 27th March 1917.

On 31st May 1917 Walter married Annie Whittaker in Nottingham.

He joined 2nd Machine Gun Battalion in Belgium on 4th September 1917 and saw service on the Western Front as a machine gunner.

In August 1919 he and Annie returned to Australia and he was discharged on 14th November 1919.

Walter and Annie were divorced in 1935 and Walter went on to raise 11 children with Hilda Oakes.

Walter died in Sydney Hospital in 1951 a few months after his brother Joseph.

Walter is commemorated on the Wollongong Roll of Honor.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, PUCKERIDGE WALTER