BURGIN, Walter

Walter was a nineteen year old Clerk with the Bank of New South Wales at Inverell when War was declared in 1914. Born at Chiltern, Victoria, he went to school at Rutherglen and later at Emmaville in northern NSW. He spent two years in the Junior Cadets, two years in Senior Cadets and two years with the Citizens Military Forces before enlisting. He was also a well known and keen Rugby Union player.

Walter was one of the first group of Inverell men to leave the town with Captain Gordon to enlist in Sydney. He became a Private with the 2nd Battalion B Company which departed Sydney on the transport ship A23 Suffolk on 18 October 1914. After arriving in Egypt in early December the Battalion began further training. Walter was appointed Lance Corporal at Lemnos, then, as part of the First Division, his Battalion was at the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

Lance Corporal Walter Burgin was wounded in action at Gallipoli on 13 May 1915 and placed on board the hospital ship Gascon for the 1000 km journey to Alexandria for treatment. He died at sea eight days after being wounded and was buried at Chatby War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

At Inverell Walter's name is inscribed on the Honor Roll and Cenotaph. In 1919 a memorial tree was planted for him in Kurrajong Parade. 

Photo: Australian War Memorial Image PO7282.001