Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Private W. G. Walters, 4th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, a veteran of Gallipoli, he was originally recommended for the D.C.M. and went on to be killed in action on the Western Front, 30 April 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1848 Pte W. G. Walters. 4/Aust: Inf: Bn:) edge bruise; 1914-15 Star (1848 Pte. W. G. Walters, 4/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1848 Pte. W. G. Walters. 4-Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (4) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 16 November 1916. The original recommendation (for a D.C.M.) states:

‘At Pozieres, France, 23rd July 1916, Pte. Walters showed himself remarkably cool and courageous under fire. He was of the greatest assistance to his company commander in carrying messages throughout the enemy barrages and, further, in digging out buried men, he not only saved several lives but inspired others by his conduct and played no small part in maintaining the morale of those around him.’

William George Walters was born in Albury, New South Wales, Australia, 1894. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Liverpool, New South Wales, 15 February 1915, and was posted to the Army Corps, Ammunition Park, serving in Gallipoli from May 1915.

Walters transferred to the 4th Australian Infantry Battalion in January 1916, and served with them in the French theatre of war from March of the same year. He distinguished himself whilst serving with the Battalion on the Somme, 22/23 July 1916. On the latter date the Battalion suffered casualties of 13 killed and 67 wounded.

Private Walters was killed in action on the Western Front, 30 April 1917, and is buried in Vraucourt Copse Cemetery, Vaulx-Vraucourt, Pas de Calais, France.