Walter Edward Easter
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 9 Nov 1905 |
| Place of Birth | Lambeth, London, England |
| Death | 17 Nov 1967 |
| Place of Death | Manning, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 35 years, 3 months |
| Description | 5'8" (1.73m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Second avenue, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Majorie (Jean) Easter |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W15255 & WX7485 |
| Date of Enlistment | 19 Feb 1941 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 124th Australian General Transport Company |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Walter emigrated to Australia aboard the SS Ballarat, departing London on 24 May 1923. H was listed in the shipping records as a 17 years old farm labourer, a member of a group of young men from the Church Army Training Farm, Hampstead Hall. During 1935 Walter married Jean Vance in the Canning district.
Electoral Roll entries: 1936 - 1937 at Woolgaron Station, Mullewa, station hand; 1943 at River road, Kelmscott, labourer.
War Service
Walter enlisted on 19 Feb 1941 Unlike most others, Walter enlisted first in the 2nd AIF. His next of kin at the time was Jean Easter. He was discharged after 9 months service on 18 Feb 1941 while with the 2nd Training Battalion. The reason is not yet known.
The day after his discharge from the 2nd AIF (i.e. 19 Feb 1941), he enlisted in the CMF and was given a Trade Grouping of Driver TG III and was posted to the Western Command Motor Transport Depot. From 10 March until 21 Apr 1941 he was posted to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion on Rottnest. While there, on 4 Apr 1941 he was charged with being AWOL from 12:00 noon on 3 Apr 1941 to 12:00 noon on 4 Apr 1941 for which he was fined 10/- ($1) with the forfeiture of a day's pay. From 7 Jul - 16 Sep 1941 Walter was posted to the 13th Field Ambulance before returning to his Karrakatta Base and what was now the 122nd Reserve Motor Transport Company before being posted on 20 Jan 1942 to the Western Command Meat Depot later known as 3rd Australian Field Butchering Company. Walter was on sick leave from 8 May until 11 Aug 1942.
On 31 Aug 1942 Walter was charged with 1) Drunkenness at Perth; and 2) AWOL from 7:50pm on 24 Aug 1942 until 24 Aug 1942. Fined 50/- ($5) he also forfeited a day's pay. On 27 Aug 1942 he rejoined his unit now known as the 125th Australian General Transport Company. On 19 Sep 1942 Walter was transferred to the 124th Australian General Transport Company. From 1 Jul 1943 Walter was granted proficiency pay, and in November 1943 he was seen by a Medical Board that resulted on 26 Nov 1943 in his being reclassifies as 'B' (Feet) - unable to march more than 1/2 mile but can carry on as a driver.
On 21 Mar 1944 Walter was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital with a foot problem, and was transferred to the 118th Australian General Hospital at Northam on 31 Mar 1944. They released him to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot on 3 Apr 1944, with him returning to his unit on 12 Apr 1944. On 26 Jul 1944 at the 37th Australian Camp Hospital at Melville he was classified 'B2'. He was detached to the 26th Australian Employment Company from 8 - 28 Aug 1944 before returning to his unit. On 20 Mar 1945 Walter was admitted to the 75th Australian Camp Hospital with carbuncles on his right leg before being released to duty on 24 Mar 1945. From 24 - 27 Aug 1945 he was again in the 75th Australian Camp Hospital, this time with scabies, and on 10 Oct 1945 he was transferred to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for discharge which took place on 18 Oct 1945.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1958 - 1963 at 14 Griffin crescent, Manning, truck driver; 1963 at 14 Weld street, Palmyra, lumper.
Notes
Year of birth on enlistment for CMF was 1905, 1906 on enlistment for 2nd AIF.