Ardagh, Walter Keith

No.7940 – Private Walter Keith Ardagh – 16^th Battalion AIF

Walter Keith Ardagh was born in Fremantle to George Joseph & Mary Louise Ardagh on the 30^th July 1898. The family lived in Malcom Street Fremantle. Walter attended Christian Brothers College Fremantle and later took up work as a labourer. During this time he was also a member of the cadets and saw service with the 30^th Signal Company.

As his mother had died in 1908 and his father in 1915, when Walter enlisted aged 19 in 1917 he needed the consent of his Guardian, a Mr. Albert Pierce of 56 Hampton Road Fremantle. (later renumbered 36 Hampton). This consent was given and Walter went to the recruitment office on the 5^th October 1917 where he was accepted into the AIF. His medical examiner found Walter to be 5 feet 4 inches in height; weighed 108 lbs; chest measurement of 29 to 31 inches; Ruddish complexion, brown eyes & Auburn hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.

His next of kin was his sister, who actually was a Sister in a religious order; Sister Queenie Ardagh of St Joseph’s Convent Ada Street South Fremantle.

Being passed as fit, Walter was assigned to the 27^th Reinforcements to the 16^th Battalion. After a short period of training this group left Fremantle on the SS Canberra on the 23^rd November 1917. They disembarked at Suez on the 21^st December 1917, only embarking for France from Port Said on the 8^th January 1918. Their journey firstly took them to Taranto in Italy where they arrived on the 20^th January and then on to Southampton where they disembarked on the 30^th January 1918.

On the 31^st January 1918 the reinforcement group marched out to Codford Camp on Salisbury Plain for further training. On the 2^nd February Walter reported sick and was sent to hospital at Sutton Veny and then on to the 3^rd New Zealand General Hospital where he was diagnosed with measles. This kept him away from training till the 12^th March 1918 though the next month saw Walter train at both the 12^th & 13^th Training Battalions. On the 14^th April 1918 Walter left England for France, spending a week at the New Zealand Infantry Base at Etaples before proceeding on to his unit. Walter was taken on strength of the 16^th Battalion on the 27^th April 1918. He fought with them through May, June & July, seeing action around Villers-Bretoneux and the battle of Hamel on July 4^th 1918.

On the 31^st July 1918 Walter was sent to the 4^th Division signal school, only returning to the 16^th Battalion on the 31^st August 1918. During the time he had been away the British Armies had made huge advance and were pushing the Germans back. The next few weeks were spent in following up the Germans. On the 18^th September 1918, the 16^th Battalion began their last action of the war and Walter took up his role as a Signaller for his Company.

Sometime during the day a German shell came over, and exploded near Walter, inflicting fatal shrapnel wounds. His battalion mates buried Walter and another casualty Private Charles Waugh next to each other. Their graves were located after the war and both were taken to Jeancourt Communal Cemetery. Charles lies in Plot I.A.9 & Walter lies in Plot I.A.10.

Walter’s sister, Queenie, received his personal effects, though an older brother, George Ardagh of Newman St Fremantle would receive his medals.