My WW1 soldiers (1) - Walter Waldo Seabrook

Walter Waldo Seabrook (1894 - 1971)

This is my first post in a series of posts over the next few years to remember all the men in my extended family who enlisted in World War 1.

So far I have identified 26 soldiers who enlisted between 20 August 1914 and 2 November 1918 and I feel sure I have missed some. Of the twenty six, five were killed overseas or died here in Australia.

Walter Waldo Seabrook (1894 - 1971)

My first post is for Walter Waldo Seabrook (107) who joined the 3rd Field Company Engineers  on 20th August 1914, less than three weeks after Australia joined the war. Walter,19 years old was the third child of Alfred and Emma Seabrook and was born at Augustus Terrace on 23rd September 1894. He had been named after his uncle Walter Waldo Kennedy who had died, aged 13 while boarding at The Friends' School in Hobart.

Walter's attestation papers state that he had spent 1 year in the Junior Cadets and 2 years in the Mililtia and he worked as a clerk. He was only 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighed 10 st 4 lbs. He was fair with blue eyes and brown hair. 

Walter was appointed to the 3rd Field Company A.I.F., 1st Division Engineers. Just over one month later Walter departed Melbourne aboard the Geelong on 22nd September 1914. 

While at Gallipoli he spent time suffering from influenza, bronchitis and pneumonia aboard the hospital ship Franconia. 

In September 1917 he was admitted to Northampton War Hospital, Duston, England suffering a mild gunshot wound to his left hand.

Walter was mentioned twice in dispatches.

On the evening of August  15 (1918) this NCO was engaged in running out direction tapes through the maze of trenches near Lihons Wood to the from line positions - finally marking these out also - in order to guide the troops of the relieving Division. A minor advance in the afternoon had extended the former CT 800 yds. In spite of enemy counterattacks with consequent shelling he reconnoitred the new positions and after being twice stopped by continuous enemy shelling successes in establishing complete communications to the rear. His devotion to duty and coolness under fire has continually been a fine example to the men under his command (AWM Honours and Awards.)

During the period 16th/17th September, 1918, and to the cessation of hostilities, Lance Corporal SEABROOK has done valuable work in organising parties and in the running out of direction tapes, in order to guide roops of relieving units. he has done reliable and constant work in reconnoitring of positions and securing valuable information in connection with water supply and material. His energy and devotion to duty has been a fine example to the men under his command (Commonwealth Gazette No. 113 6th October 1919, p. 146, London Gazette 3 June 1919, p. 6918, AWM Honours and Awards & Australian Honours List.) For this he was awarded The Meritorious Service Medal.

After the war, Walter took up land at Dover in Tasmania as a soldier settler. He married Kathleen Eady and they had three children. Walter enlisted again in the Second World War on 24th April 1942 and was discharged on 15th January 1946, as a Lieutenant from the 1st Battalion. He died while on holiday at Broadbeach, Queensland on 27th August 1971, aged 76.