SAPPER WALTER HILL
7676 – Tunnelling Reinforcements
New Glasgow, Pictou, Nova Scotia was the birth place of Walter Hill about 1865. He stated he had served an apprenticeship as a mechanical fitter with Baldwin Locomotive Works, working there seven years. He and his parents came to Australia and in 1920’s were working at Bingera Plantation near Bundaberg, Queensland.
At the Recruiting Depot in Perth, W.A. the miner applied to enlist for active service abroad on February 15, 1917. He passed the medical examination and personal particulars taken show his admitted age was forty-seven years, stood 76cms 100-102cms (5ft 9ins) tall with a chest expansion of (39-40ins) and had poor vision. Postal address given was Dangin, W.A. Attestation Forms were completed which add further information of his weight 67.2kgs (148lbs) with a dark complexion and blue eyes and brown hair. Protestant was given as his religion. Next-of-kin nominated was his wife Mrs Alice Hill of Temperance Hotel, Dangin, W.A. He was sworn in the same day.
Private Hill commenced basic training on March 17, 1917 at Blackboy Hill camp with the Xth Depot Battalion continuing April 10 when he was transferred as a Sapper to the Miners’ Depot (6th M.D.) as one of the April, 1917 Reinforcements. His conduct was marked as ‘Good Character’ during his service at Blackboy Hill.
On May 19, 1917 was sent to the Miners’ Training camp in Seymour, Victoria and during June continued Range Practise in Musketry training. A Statutory Declaration was signed on July 12 where he declared he was married and had no dependant children under 16 years of age.
He was assigned on July 16 to the Reinforcements Tunnelling Companies in the rank of Sapper with the regimental number 7676 and allotted four shillings (40cents) per day to support his wife who was residing at 215 Barker Street, Subiaco, Perth, W.A.
A medical assessment was taken on August 1, 1917 at the Clearing Hospital, Seymour, Vic and his Statement of Case is as follows:
Disability:Not any evident.
Admitted age:47 years
Present condition:Training officer reports favourably – says he is in good health.
Recommendation:Discharge permanently unfit.
Approved:3/8/17
From that date he was detailed to Cooks fatigue duties and preparation for embarkation for the first three weeks in August, 1917 until documentation was completed.
Military discharge was issued on August 22, 1917 after serving 189 days due to being medically unfit.
His records were forwarded to Base Records on September 7, 1917.
As Sapper 7676 Walter Hill did not embark for service overseas he was not entitled to any War Service Medals.
This extract and his photograph appeared in the book Queenslanders Who Fought in the Great War:
© Donna Baldey 2011