WICKHAM, Walter Holmes

Walter was the eldest of nine known children born to Edward and Mary Ann Wickham. His birth was registered at Narrabri NSW in 1893. He was educated at Narrabri Public School.  Walter first enlisted at Broadmeadow NSW in May 1916 and after a month was discharged medically unfit. He enlisted again in Sydney during October 1916, stating that he was a twenty three year old single man working as a Painter. 

After joining the Machine Gun Company 9, Reinforcement 8, he left Australia on the ship RMS Osterley in February 1917 and arrived in England in April.  Two months later he was sent to France where towards the end of the year he was ill and sent to hospital for treatment.

Private Walter Wickham was killed in action on 4 April 1918 near Villers-Bretonneux.  He has no known grave and his name is inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.  A prayer book, his only remaining personal possession, was returned to his Mother in Sydney.

Walter’s name is recorded on the Inverell Honor Roll and Cenotaph. In 1919 he was one of the men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade, Inverell.

Before the War, Walter was employed by Inverell Builder and Saw Mill owner, Mr. Ben Wade.  Walter’s brother lived at Auburn Vale, Inverell.