Spence, Walter James
2248 Trooper Walter James Spence – Imperial Camel Corps & 1st Light Horse Signal Squadron
Walter James Spence was born in Fremantle in 1885 to Captain James and Lucy Spence. He received his early education in Fremantle and after leaving school he took up work as an apprentice farrier. He only worked in this trade for twelve months then began work for the WA Postmaster General’s office as a Telephone Linesman. While he generally lived in the family home in Howard Street Fremantle, his work took him around the state. When he enlisted on the 3rd January 1916 Walter was working in the country town of Norseman. He was given a examination and found to be physically fit with the medical officer describing his physical attributes as;
Height: 5 feet 8 & ¾ inches;
Weight: 143lbs;
Chest Measurement: 35-36 inches;
Complexion: Fair;
Eyes: Grey;
Hair: Dark;
Religious Denomination: Presbyterian
Distinctive marks: 3 vaccination scars on left arm
Upon his successful enlistment Walter was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.40 Training Depot. Walter wanted to join the Light Horse and after passing his riding test he was soon transferred to the 15th Reinforcements to the 10th Light Horse Regiment. This group trained in WA until the end of March 1916. On the 1st April 1916 they boarded the HMAT Ulysses and set sail for Egypt.
Upon arriving in Egypt at the end of the month Walter was sent into the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Reserve Regiment. On the 23rd June Walter was transferred into the 3rd Double Squadron which was a unit made up of excess reinforcements from the 8th, 9th & 10th Light Horse Regiments. He remained with this squadron until November when he was transferred into the 4th Battalion of the Imperial Camel Corps.
He served with the ICC at the battle of Magdhaba but was then sent to hospital sick where he was diagnosed with influenza. Walter was sent to hospital in Cairo and also had a period in a rest camp. He rejoined the Imperial Camel Corps on the 7th February 1917. Walter served with his unit for the next two and a half months including the action at Gaza, but on the 25th April 1917 he was evacuated with dysentery. Walter wasn’t away for long and rejoined the Camels on the 5th May 1917. He was sent to the 4th Battalion ICC HQ where it appears that he was put on signalling work. He stayed with the HQ for the next six months, but on the 7th October he returned to the 18th Company of the 4th Battalion ICC. Walter returned in time to take part in the Beersheba Campaign and he remained with the ICC until April 1918 when he was sent to a rest camp at Port Said. On the 4th May 1918 Walter was sent to the 14th Australian General Hospital suffering from influenza. He was in and out of hospital for the next two months, going between the hospitals and rest camp. On the 1st July he was transferred to Light Horse Details.
The Imperial Camel Corps was now being disbanded and while men of the cameleers went to form the new 14th & 15th Light Horse Regiments, Walter instead transferred to the 1st Light Horse Signal Squadron and he served with this unit for the rest of the war.
On the 19th February 1919 Walter was sent to the 24th Stationary Hospital and was then transferred to the 14th Australian General Hospital where he was diagnosed as suffering from venereal disease. Walter had a few weeks in hospital but was released on the 22nd March 1919. On the 23rd March Walter was taken on strength on what was known as ‘Olden’s Force’. On the 10th April 1919 Walter was sent to hospital with debility and he was marked down for return to Australian for health reasons. On the 25th April 1919 Walter boarded the HT Dorset and set sail for home, disembarking in Fremantle on the 4th June 1919. Walter was taken to No.8 AGH for a medical check-up but was soon released and was discharged from the AIF on the 21st July 1919.
In 1921 Walter Married Irene Thomas and they later moved to Mandurah where Walter died in 1972 aged 86.



