FAMILY LIFE

Walter Byrne was born in 1897 in Goulburn, son of John Robert & Elizabeth (Tully) Byrne. He was one of 10 children. Many of his siblings were born in Tyalgum and many are buried in Murwillumbah cemetery.

ATTESTATION

Walter travelled to Brisbane on 1^st February 1916 to complete his application. He answered several questions on the document, and we find out he was born in Goulburn, was 20 years and 5 months old and a single man. He gave his occupation as labourer. His next of kin was his mother, John, of Murwillumbah. He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER

On the second page of the attestation documents the attesting confirms the following

“The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. I have taken care that he understood each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him

OATH

He also made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Walter Byrne,  swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law

SO, HELP ME, GOD.” 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

His medical showed he was 5ft 9 inches tall (1.75m), weighed 147 lbs (67kgs), with a medium complexion, blue eyes & light brown hair.

His eyesight was good but required dental treatment. Walter was Church of England and had a scar on his left hand and moles on his back.  

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER

The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: -

Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.

He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description

I consider him fit for active service

CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER

This is completed during the recruits training.

The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him as a private into the 31^st Infantry Battalion – 7^th Reinforcements with service No 3211

31^st INFANTRY BATTALION

The 31st was raised in August 1915 as part of the 8th Brigade & it joined the 5th Australian Division in Egypt before heading to the Western Front in France in 1916. The 31st Infantry Battalion's legacy is marked by its resilience, bravery, and dedication to its missions. Its history is preserved through memorials and historical records, ensuring its contributions are remembered and honoured

 AUSTRALIAN TRAINING CAMP

All the 31^st recruits attended the training camp at Rifle Camp, Enoggera. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together.

 Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague. Walter received his on the 4^th, 11^th & 18^th February. The recruits 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

INNOCULATION

All recruits were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.

THE UNIFORM

The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.

SOLDIER’S KIT

Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.

·      Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.

·      Braces: worn with breeches.

·      Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.

·      Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.

·      Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.

·      Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.

·      Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.

·      Jersey

·      Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.

·      Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.

·      Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.

·      Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.

·      Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.

·      Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.

·      Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.

·      Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.

·      They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.

·      No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid six shillings a day

VOYAGE OVERSEAS TO EGYPT

The recruits sailed on 10^th April 1916 on the HMT Seeang Choon. Alongside his comrades, Walter marched aboard, his boots ringing on the gangway. As the ship’s lines were cast off and the quay began to slip away, the reality of war lay ahead, but for now, the sea breeze carried only the sound of voices and the excitement of men bound for adventure, duty, and the unknown.

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 the voyage, due to overcrowding, training was limited to mainly to lectures and a little physical training.

SLEEPING & LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Recruits likely slept in a crowded troop deck below, where rows of hammocks or three-tier wooden bunks were crammed close together.

Air below decks could be stuffy, especially in warmer climates, and seasickness was common during the first few days.

DAILY ROUTINE

Reveille early each morning, followed by physical exercises on the open decks (weather permitting). There were parades and inspections—officers ensured uniforms, rifles, and kit were clean and in order. Training was a little problematic—drill without much space, rifle maintenance, lectures on military discipline, signalling, and trench warfare theory. The ship’s decks were used for marching in tight circles or practising bayonet thrusts into stuffed sacks. Rifle shooting was impossible at sea, so soldiers learned to strip and clean their weapons until it was second nature.

MEALS

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. The meals were served in shifts from the ship’s galley. Queues were long, and eating on a rolling ship meant many tried to eat quickly before nausea set in.

HEALTH & SANITATION

Shipboard hygiene was critical—every man was ordered to scrub his section daily to prevent disease. Saltwater baths were the norm, with freshwater rationed for drinking.

THE VOYAGE EXPERIENCE

Entertainment included church drill, concerts, singalongs, card games, and makeshift cricket matches on deck when the weather allowed. To keep up morale, an area of the ship was roped off where regular boxing and wrestling tournaments were held. This became commonly known as the Stoush Stadium. No letters could be sent until they reached port, but men often wrote diaries or unsent letters to be posted later.

The 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

CROSSING THE EQUATOR CEREMONY

The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

SIGHTS AT SEA

On the way to Egypt the ship would pass through the Great Australian Bight, cross the Indian Ocean, and stop at Colombo (Ceylon now Sri Lanka) for coal and supplies.

SECURITY

By late 1914, German raiders were active, so lifeboat drills were frequent, and lookouts kept watch for suspicious ships. Troopships generally sailed in convoys or at least took zig-zag courses to make torpedo attacks harder. Ships often travelled under blackout conditions at night, with lookouts specifically watching for periscopes or torpedo wakes.

APPROACHING EGYPT

After several weeks at sea, the men finally saw the dusty shoreline of Port Said or Alexandria. The reality of leaving home truly sank in. The recruits would soon exchange the ship’s cramped decks for the sandy training grounds of Egypt, preparing for what lay ahead. They disembarked on the Suez on 15^th June 1916

EGYPT- TEL EL KEBIR TRAINING CAMP

Like thousands of Australian reinforcements arriving during this period, he was sent to the vast military training establishment at Tel-el-Kebir, situated in the Egyptian desert northeast of Cairo. The camp had become one of the principal reinforcement depots of the Australian Imperial Force following the evacuation from Gallipoli and was responsible for preparing men for service with units already fighting overseas.

TAKEN ON STRENGTH JULY 1916

Walter was taken on strength at Tel-el-Kebir on 9 July 1916. Life in the camp revolved around intensive military training designed to transform reinforcements into soldiers capable of surviving modern warfare. Days were filled with route marches across the desert, musketry practice, bayonet fighting, field exercises, trench construction and physical conditioning. The men also received instruction in battlefield discipline, signalling, grenade handling and the routines of life on active service. Experienced Gallipoli veterans often assisted with training, passing on lessons learned in combat to the newly arrived reinforcements.

During Walter's time in Egypt, the strategic situation changed significantly. The Australian divisions had already begun transferring from the Middle East to Europe to take part in the fighting on the Western Front. As a result, many reinforcements who had expected to remain in Egypt for extended training found themselves quickly redirected to England for further preparation.

MOVE TO ENGLAND -TRAINING FOR THE WESTERN FRONT AUG 1916

On 2 August 1916 Walter embarked aboard the troopship Franconia for the voyage to England. After passing through the Mediterranean and Atlantic waters, he arrived in Britain and was sent to the Australian training establishment at Codford on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Codford was one of the largest Australian camps in England and served as a major training and reinforcement depot for men destined for France.

CODFORD TRAINING CAMP

They had already completed their basic training in Australia more in Egypt but over many more tough months, in the English training camp at Codford, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. Conditions at Codford differed greatly from those Walter had experienced in Egypt. Instead of desert heat, the men encountered the often cold, wet and muddy conditions of the English countryside. Training became increasingly focused on the realities of trench warfare on the Western Front. Reinforcements practised trench attacks, bombing exercises, wiring operations, gas precautions, weapon handling and battlefield tactics based on the latest experiences from France and Belgium.

The training was rigorous because the casualty rates on the Western Front were high and replacements needed to be ready immediately upon arrival. Walter spent more than three months at Codford undergoing this specialised preparation while awaiting his posting overseas. During this period, he learned the skills necessary for survival in the trenches and adapted to the conditions he would soon face in France.

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.

TRENCH WARFARE FRANCE 1917

On the 11^th November he boarded the Golden Eagle at Folkstone headed for France and joined his unit on 8^th December 1917. The 31^st were fighting in trenches. Crossing the English Channel, he entered the war zone and joined the stream of reinforcements moving towards the Australian divisions on the Western Front. Ahead of him lay the muddy trenches, constant artillery fire and harsh conditions that characterised the fighting in France. His months of training in Egypt and England had prepared him as well as possible, but nothing could fully replicate the realities of service at the front, where he would soon join the 31st Battalion and take his place among the Australian soldiers engaged in some of the most demanding battles of the war.

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, 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.

HOSPITALISATION JANUARY 1917 TRENCH FEET

On 24^th January 1917 Walter was admitted to the 1^st Anzac MD station with trench feet. The disease 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. 

REJOINED UNIT FEBRUARY

READMITTED WITH TRENCH FEET MARCH 1917

By 23^rd February he rejoined his unit but was readmitted with trench feet to the 8^th Field Ambulance on 14^th March. (A Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit (it was not a vehicle), manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps). By the 28^th his feet had not responded to treatment and by 21^st April he was transferred to England on the HS Viper with inflation of his corrective tissues. This was a side issue with trench feet and caused by impairment of blood flow.  In advanced cases, the skin may break down, leading to open sores and increased risk of infection. Complications may include skin breakdown or infection

HURDCOTT COMMAND POST JUNE  1917

On 25^th June he was discharged to furlough till 9^th July when he reported to Hurdcott command post. Here he would convalesce but continue with drilling & training as the technology and techniques were rapidly changing and soldiers had to be up to date when they were ready to rejoin their units. He was classified B1a which meant he was free from serious organic diseases, able to stand service on lines of communication in France, able to march 5 miles, see to shoot with glasses, and hear well

REJOINED UNIT DECEMBER 1917

On 25th December 1917 Walter rejoined the 31st Battalion during a period when the Australian divisions were spending the winter in Belgium. The battalion occupied trenches around the Messines and Warneton sectors, carrying out routine front-line duties that were anything but safe. Patrols, trench raids, wiring parties and working parties took place almost nightly, while German artillery and sniper fire remained a constant threat. The winter of 1917–1918 was particularly harsh, and the men endured freezing temperatures, mud-filled trenches and difficult living conditions as they held the line through the closing months of the year.

SPRING OFFENSIVE MARCH 1918

In early 1918 the battalion remained in Belgium until the German Spring Offensive erupted on 21 March. The sudden German assault on the Somme created a crisis for the Allied armies, and Australian units were rushed south to help stem the advance towards Amiens. The 31st Battalion was among the formations moved into the threatened sector, where it became involved in some of the most critical fighting of the war.

Throughout late March and April, the battalion was engaged in the desperate defensive battles fought east of Amiens. The Germans were attempting to capture key positions around Villers-Bretonneux, a strategically important town overlooking the approaches to Amiens. The Australians spent long periods in the line under constant shellfire, carrying out patrols, strengthening defences and resisting repeated enemy attacks. Casualties were heavy and the strain on the men was enormous.

KILLED IN ACTION APRIL 1918

They continued their fighting against the Germans in Villers-Bretonneux, France. In early April 1918, World War I was at a critical juncture in France. The German Army had launched a major offensive known as the Spring Offensive which began in March and extended into April. This offensive aimed to break through Allied lines and secure a decisive victory before American reinforcements could fully arrive. During this period, the Allies were under immense pressure, with battles raging in many regions. Although the famous counterattack to recapture Villers-Bretonneux would not occur until the night of 24–25 April, the days leading up to it were marked by intense fighting, artillery bombardments and constant pressure from German forces attempting to break through towards Amiens. Australian battalions in the area were subjected to heavy shelling and frequent enemy attacks as they struggled to hold the line. A casualty of this fighting was Walter, who was killed in action on 19^th April 1918. At the time the area was the scene of fierce fighting as German forces continued their attempts to push towards Amiens. The battlefield was subjected to heavy shellfire and constant enemy pressure, and casualties occurred daily. Walter lost his life during one of the most critical phases of the campaign, only days before the famous Australian counterattack that would help secure Villers-Bretonneux and halt the German advance. His death came during a period when the 31st Battalion was helping defend a position whose successful holding would prove vital to the Allied war effort.

FOR HIS SERVICE

Walter is buried Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Picardie, France. For his service, Walter was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Murwillumbah War Memorial, the Burringbar War Memorial & Dungay Public School WWI Memorial. His name is recorded on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial No 118 among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

EFFECTS, PLAQUE, SCROLL, HIS WILL

Walter’s effects were returned to his father and consisted of 2 wallets, photos, badge & letters. Walter had made a will on the 19th July 1917 and left his estate to his father, John.  Two Photos of his grave were sent to his father on the 14th November 1919. His memorial plaque & memorial scroll was forwarded to his father on 10th November 1922. 

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