FAMILY LIFE

Henry (Harry) Teare Walden was born 26^th July 1888 in Richmond, son of Frederick John and Margaret Ann (Crellin) Walden. He was brother to 9 siblings, with two of his brothers, Alfred & Harrop, also enlisting. Henry married Olive Donnison in 1916 in Newtown. They had a son before he enlisted

APPLICATION

Henry was a farmer at Mount Burrell when he decided to enlist. On the 11^th October 1916 he had his preliminary physical examination at Murwillumbah. He was 6ft tall (1.82m), weighed 176lbs (80kgs) with a fresh complexion, blue eyes & brown hair. He had a mole on his right shoulder, front, 4 warts right of chest, a mole on his right scapula, a mole between the scapula & a scar inside the scapula at a right angle.

The Examining Medical Officer stated that Henry “can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service.”  On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Henry Teare Walden, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.” 

Harry was Methodist. He was found fit for service if fitted with an upper plate of teeth, so he enlisted on 31 October 1916 at the Show Ground Camp, Sydney, recruited as a private in the 19^th Battalion. He was 29 years 6 months old, single with his next of kin being his father, Frederick, of Bridge St, Epping.

LIVERPOOL TRAINING CAMP

Henry starred his training on the 31^st October, along with all the new recruits. The Liverpool training camp was the primary location for recruits in the 19^th Battalion. Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, then a recruit had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service. It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training would take several months

The recruits were issued with their uniform: a khaki woollen jacket, heavy cord breeches and the famous slouch hat – turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge. A soldier’s equipment also included a dixie (mess tin), water bottle, mug, .303 Lee-Enfield rifle and bayonet.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On 11^th November 1916 he embarked the HMAT Suevic at Sydney. The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On-board, Officers organised rigorous training drills and exercise sessions for the men. They were expected to do their own washing, sweep the decks and carry out other chores

Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant. 

Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. Many of the troops experienced bouts of seasickness on the voyage. The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

FOLKSTONE TRAINING CAMP

Henry disembarked at Devonport on the 30^th January 1917 and marched into the 5^th training battalion at Folkstone where more training was in front of them. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. They began their training with physical fitness exercises, they were taught individual and unit discipline, how to follow commands, how to march, some basic field skills and how to safely handle his weapons.  Later, as soldiers specialised in a particular area (for example, machine gunner or signaller) they would be trained in specific skills and would take part in practice manoeuvres and sham fights. They would spend many hours learning training in the use of bayonets, anti- gas training and guard duty along with lectures on camouflage or trench warfare and much more. Training would normally up to last 3 months

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE

On the 14^th July he was taken on strength in France. The recruits now found themselves fighting the German in trench warfare. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France & Belgium, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats

The time soldiers spent in the trenches varied depending on factors like their army's rotation system and the intensity of the conflict in their sector. On average:

·      Front-line trenches: Soldiers typically remained here for about 4–6 days at a time. This was where the fighting was most intense and the conditions were the harshest.

·      Support and reserve trenches: After time on the front line, soldiers were rotated to these positions for around 6–12 days. These trenches were set further back and offered slightly better conditions.

·      Rest periods: Soldiers were then moved away from the trench system entirely for rest, training, and recovery, often lasting several weeks, depending on operational needs.

The rotation system helped prevent complete physical and mental exhaustion, but the constant dangers of trench life meant there was rarely any true respite.

HINDENBURG LINE

In 1917, the 19th was involved in the follow-up of German forces after their retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and was one of four battalions to defeat a counter-stroke by a German force, almost five times as strong, at Lagnicourt. 

HOSPITALISATION PYREXIA AUGUST 1917

On the 2^nd August Henry was admitted to the 58^th General Hospital with pyrexia. This was a catch-all term for fever but by the 15^th August it was diagnosed as trench fever and he was admitted to Beaufort War Hospital on the 21^st August.

Trench fever, often classed as “pyrexia” is a condition where individuals suffered from a febrile illness that relapsed in five-day cycles. At the time, the cause of the disease was unknown. The issue was prominent in trenches that were dug in land that was at, or near, sea level, where the water table was just beneath the surface. 

The soldiers would hit water after a couple of feet and the trenches would flood. After long periods standing in soaking wet socks and boots, trench foot would start to set in. The men’s feet would swell and go numb and then the skin would start to turn red or blue. Untreated feet often became gangrenous and the condition could lead to nerve damage, tissue loss and ultimately the need for amputation. 

REPATRIATION HOME MARCH 1918

Unfortunately, Henry’s fever was recurrent, he was able to rejoin his unit and it was determined that he would be repatriated home. Henry returned to Australia on the 7^th March 1918 on the HMAT Corinthia and was discharged medically unfit on 9^th April.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Henry was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Epping Men Great War Honor Roll

HOME LIFE

Henry & Olive had a further two children when he returned home. Henry divorced Olive in 1937/1938. Henry died 14^th September 1972 at Katoomba Hospital, aged 84. 

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