Gilkerson, Walter

3021A Private Walter Gilkerson - 48th Battalion AIF

Walter Gilkerson was born on the 23rd November 1895 to Helen Gilkerson. However on three different enlistment forms for WW1 and WW2 Walter changed his birth details on each occasion. In WW1 he stated he was born in Perth WA and in WW2 one form stated he was born in Sydney and then another in Port Adelaide. It also appears he was known as Walter Wilson.

However, what is known is that at his enlistment Walter was living at 62 Queen Victoria Street Fremantle. (later renumbered to 39 Queen Victoria Street).

On the 8th May 1916 Walter successfully enlisted in Fremantle into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 5 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 121lbs;

Chest Measurement - 32-34 inches;

Complexion - Ruddy;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Brown.

Upon his successful enlistment, Walter was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the training depots where he was taken through the basics of infantry work. On the 21st June 1916 Walter was assigned to the 22nd Reinforcements to the 16th battalion. He remained training with this group till the 5th September 1916.

Walter was then transferred to the 6th Reinforcements to the 48th battalion. However he fell ill with venereal disease and was withdrawn from this group and sent to Hospital. On the 26th October 1916 he was released from the isolation hospital and returned to Camp where he was now assigned to the 7th Reinforcements to the 48th Battalion AIF.

He only trained with this group in WA for a few weeks, for on the 9th November 1916 Walter and his group were entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Argyllshire. The ship then set sail for England, arriving at Devonport Harbour on the 10th January 1917.

After being disembarked, Walter and his group were sent to the 12th Training Battalion at Codford Camp. Walter would train in England for the next five months. On the 12th May 1917 Walter was sent across to France and went into the 4th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples. He had a couple of weeks here and then fell ill.

He was sent to the 40th Stationary Hospital at Hornfleur and was there for several weeks. He returned to the Base Depot on the 29th July 1917. On the 15th August 1917 Walter joined the 48th Battalion. This unit were currently in the field at Messines.

They were there for a few more weeks and were then transferred to the Ypres front. The 48th Battalion would take  part in the current offensive taking place there. Walter had seen action near Polygon Wood in late September 1917 and on the 12th October 1917 was wounded when the Battalion attacked towards Passchendaele.

Walter had been hit by shrapnel in the back and was evacuated to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Boulogne.  On the 14th November 1917 hew as transferred to the 25th General Hospital as he had also developed scabies. He had a few more weeks in hospital and then rejoined the 48th Battalion on the 3rd December 1917.

The 48th Battalion were at Peronne in December 1917 but then returned to Belgium in January 1918 and helped to hold the front line south east of Ypres near Hollebeke.

On the 8th January 1918 Walyter got into trouble for absenting himself from his post without permission and as a punishment was given 14 days of Field Punishment No.2. He then returned to his unit on the 3rd February 1918.

On March 21st 1918 the Germans launched their large Spring Offensive to the south in France which broke through the British lines. The Australian Divisions were sent south to help stop the German advance. 

The 48th Battalion arrived at Dernancourt in late March and early April 1918 and with other units of the 12th and 13th Brigades, helped to stop the German advance. Casualties were heavy and on April 5th 1918 Walter was wounded in the knee. After treatment at the field ambulance he was sent to the 14th General Hospital at Boulogne.

Due to his wound he was not returned to the 48th Battalion but in June 1918 was taken on strength of the Headquarters Australian Infantry Base Depot in Le Havre France. He served here for the remainder of the war and only returned to England in April 1919.

On the 11th May 1919 Walter left England aboard the transport ship HMAT Borda and set sail for home, reaching Port Adelaide on the 23rd June 1919. He was discharged from the AIF on the 23rd August 1919.

It appears that Walter spent time in South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales through the 1920's and 30's.

On the 7th November 1939 Walter enlisted in Sydney NSW for service in World War Two. He was given the service number N68725 and assigned to the 11th Garrison Battalion in Sydney. He was discharged from service in November 1940.

On the 17th February 1941 he re-enlisted and was given the service number N104623. He was assigned to the Camp Staff at Narellan until he was discharged in 1943.

Walter died on the 21st May 1972 in Surry Hills NSW.