Caple, Walter Ernest

1680 Corporal Walter Ernest Caple - 28th Battalion & 29th Company AASC

Walter Ernest Caple was born in Fremantle in 1887 to William and Charlotte Caple. He was one of twelve siblings born into the family. He was educated locally and after leaving school he took up the trade of boot maker.

During these early years he also served in the 11th Australian infantry Regiment of the Citizens Military Forces.

Sadly his Mother died on the 13th September 1909 in Fremantle.

In 1910 Walter was living at 165 Attfield Street Fremantle (later renumbered 97) and was working as a boot maker.

Walter worked from a shop in South Terrace Fremantle.

On the 15th June 1915 Walter enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment with the medical examiner records his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 3 inches;

Weight - 135lbs;

Chest Measurement - 33-35 inches;

Complexion - Medium;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Black.

After being accepted for service Walter was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the 2nd Reinforcements to the 28th battalion AIF. He trained with this group in WA for about a month and then on the 22nd July 1915 entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship Demosthenes. The ship then set sail for Egypt, arriving there in August 1915.

It doesn't appear that Walter joined the 28th Battalion at Gallipoli but it appears he was retained in Egypt as a Driver. In early 1916 he was transferred to the 29th Company Australian Army Service Corps.

He was in Egypt with this unit till the 20th June 1916. They then embarked for France, reaching Marseilles on the 30th June 1916. The 29th Company AASC served as a horse transport company within the 5th Division Train on the Western Front. It was part of the logistical chain supplying food, ammunition, and forage, often under fire.

Walter served as a Driver for the 29th Company AASC in France and Belgium through 1916 to 1918. Except for a few periods of leave and illness he was with his unit till June 1918. He was then sent to hospital with a middle ear infection. He was hospitalised in France but was then sent to England. Due to his condition he remained in England and was classed as medically unfit for further service.

On the 21st December 1918 Walter embarked from England on the transport ship Mamari, disembarking in Fremantle on the 27th January 1919. He was then discharged from the AIF on the 30th March 1919.

He then returned home though sadly his father had died in Fremantle in 1917.

Walters brother Frank also served in the war with the 12th & 53rd Battalions and returned home in 1917.

He married in Fremantle in 1920 to Mabel Clives and a daughter Norma was born in South Fremantle in 1921.

The family were then living at 78 King William Street South Fremantle before moving to 11 Ada Street. (now 9 Ada Street).

Bu mid 1935 Walter and Mabel had separated and he then moved to 47 Mandurah Road South Fremantle. (Now 207 South Tce between Rose and Ada Street)

He lived there till 1949 when he moved to Wellington Street Mosman Park. Walter then returned south in 1958 taking up residence at 139 Healy Road Hamilton Hill

Walter died on the 24th December 1960 in Fremantle aged 73. He was cremated at Fremantle Cemetery.

(Photo courtesy family ancestry site)