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 3^rd 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 15^th Reinforcements to the 10^th Light Horse Regiment. This group trained in WA until the end of March 1916. On the 1^st 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 3^rd Light Horse Brigade Reserve Regiment. On the 23^rd June Walter was transferred into the 3^rd Double Squadron which was a unit made up of excess reinforcements from the 8^th, 9^th & 10^th Light Horse Regiments. He remained with this squadron until November when he was transferred into the 4^th 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 7^th February 1917. Walter served with his unit for the next two and a half months including the action at Gaza, but on the 25^th April 1917 he was evacuated with dysentery. Walter wasn’t away for long and rejoined the Camels on the 5^th May 1917. He was sent to the 4^th 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 7^th October he returned to the 18^th Company of the 4^th 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 4^th May 1918 Walter was sent to the 14^th 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 1^st 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 14^th & 15^th Light Horse Regiments, Walter instead transferred to the 1^st Light Horse Signal Squadron and he served with this unit for the rest of the war.

On the 19^th February 1919 Walter was sent to the 24^th Stationary Hospital and was then transferred to the 14^th Australian General Hospital where he was diagnosed as suffering from venereal disease. Walter had a few weeks in hospital but was released on the 22^nd March 1919. On the 23^rd March Walter was taken on strength on what was known as ‘Olden’s Force’. On the 10^th April 1919 Walter was sent to hospital with debility and he was marked down for return to Australian for health reasons. On the 25^th April 1919 Walter boarded the HT Dorset and set sail for home, disembarking in Fremantle on the 4^th 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 21^st July 1919.

In 1921 Walter Married Irene Thomas and they later moved to Mandurah where Walter died in 1972 aged 86.