MEDHURST, Walter Edward

Walter was the elder son of William and Georgina Medhurst. His birth was registered at Emmaville NSW in 1888. He was a member of the Inverell Rifle Club and had worked at Thomas Bros. Cordial Factory before he enlisted in September 1915. Walter was one of thirty one men farewelled at a recruiting rally held at the Town Hall when each of the recruits was presented with an Inverell Medal and a pair of socks.

Walter joined the 30th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement and left Australia on the ship HMAT A67 Orsova in March 1916.  They spent a few weeks in Egypt until transferred to France in June 1916.  Walter was killed in action near Boves in France on 7 April 1918 when a bomb dropped from an aeroplane landed near him.  He was buried at Boves East Communal Cemetery. A Memorial Service was held for him at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, Inverell on Sunday 21 April 1918. Walter’s few remaining personal possessions were returned to his Grandmother who had cared for him following his Mother’s death in 1890.

Private Walter Medhurst has his name 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.