Private Walter James Stead
Service #: 7050
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
Walter James Stead was born In Chiltern, Victoria in 1868, son of Adolphus & Eliza Sarah (Matthews) Stead. He was known as Walt. He was one of seven children. He married Alice Amy Caroline Johnson in 1899 in Lismore and was father to one daughter, Holly, when he enlisted.
APPLICATION
He was married teamster, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 29th September 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his wife, Alice, of Chillingham. He had one child.
His medical showed he was 44 years month old, 5ft 4 ½ inches tall (1.63m), weighed 152 lbs (69 kgs), with a medium complexion, blue eyes & grey hair. His eyesight was good and he required dental treatment
The Examining Medical Officer stated that Walter “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, Walt James Stead, 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.”
Walt was Church of England and had 5 vaccination scars on his left arm. He was enlisted as a private into the 15th Infantry Battalion – 23rd Reinforcements with service No 7050
TRAINING AT RIFLE RANGE CAMP, ENOGGERA
As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near Brisbane. 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, 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.
On the 25th November 1916 the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Beltana. 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.
CODFORD TRAINING CAMP
They disembarked at Plymouth on 29th January 1917 and were marched into the English training camp at Codford. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the English training camp, 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
HOSPITALISATION VENEREAL DISEASE MARCH 1917
On 28th March 1917 Walt was hospitalised in 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford for venereal disease. He stated he caught it from a prostitute in London.
The sense of adventure, the loneliness, and the loss of family life that overwhelmed many of the overseas volunteers during the First World War often found them on leave in large cities or small towns where alcohol and women were plentiful, and a lack of available prophylaxis allowed the spread of diseases such as gonorrhoea and syphilis to reach epidemic levels. Historians claim that the average incidence rate for this disease in the AIF was around 12 per cent
Treatment for VD was a punishment in its own right. Special hospitals for VD patients were set up and often regarded as deterrent. Patients would be treated with Salvarsan and mercury which offered uncomfortable and sometimes serious side effects such as jaundice and convulsions. Other treatments included irrigation, which was painful and undignified resulting in many men to opt for chemical treatment instead. These long and uncomfortable stays in VD hospitals often averaged between 50 and 60 days, with most patients recovering and returning to the front. Walter was discharged 98 days later, on 4th July 1917
CONVALESCENCE
Walt now spent several months in a 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. This ensured they did not lose their sharpness for battle and that a unit’s cohesiveness was retrained.
FRANCE, AND TRANSFER TO 42ND BATTALION
On 17th December 1917 he was taken on strength with the 42nd Battalion
MEDICALLY UNIT- ATTACHED TO A.I.B.D JANUARY 1918
Walt was found to be medically unfit and detached to the A.I.B.D. which stands for Australian Infantry Base Depot. This facility was part of the Australian Imperial Force and played a crucial role in the management and organization of Australian infantry troops during the war. Walter would have been given clerical duties. He remained here until he returned home.
GOING HOME
Walt returned to Australia on 7th May 1918, medically unfit due to rheumatism. He had it in Australia for 3-4 years before enlisting. He was discharged 25th July 1918 as permanently medically unfit for military purposes.
For his service Walt was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal
HOME LIFE
Walt died in 1931 in Randwick.
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
Memorial Location
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