Pte
Walter Pinkerton

Information about birth

Year of birth:
1885
Place of birth:
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

General information

Last known residence:
Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Profession:
Gardener
Religion:
Congregationalist

Army information

Country:
Australia
Force:
Australian Imperial Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
4755
Enlistment date:
24/01/1916
Enlistment place:
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Units:
 —  Australian Infantry, 23rd Bn. (Victoria)  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
09/10/1917
Place of death:
Zonnebeke Château Grounds, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
32

Cemetery

Hagle Dump Cemetery
Plot: IV
Row: E
Grave: 12

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 4

#1 Place of birth
#2 Last known residence
#3 Enlistment place
#4 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Walter Pinkerton, a former greenkeeper and curator of Port Melbourne Cricket Ground, was born in May 1885 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He was the brother of William Pinkerton (killed in action at Gallipoli) and was married to Lillian Agnes Pinkerton. On January 24, 1916 he enlisted in Melbourne, Victoria and embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A14 Euripides on April 4, 1916, with the 12th reinforcement of the 23rd Battalion, part of the 6th Australian Brigade of the 2nd Australian Division.

The Division participated in the Battle of Broodseinde on the 4th of October 1917, a stage in the Third Battle of Ypres. The attack of the Division was carried by the 6th and 7th Australian Brigades, with the 6th Brigade’s attack led by the 21st and 24th Battalions, and the 23rd Battalion in reserve, providing ammunition carrying- and digging parties. On October 7, the Battalion was relieved at the front line. On October 9, the Battalion attacked, with the 19th Battalion on the left and the 21st Battalion on the right. The Battalion attained its objective and consolidated it. 2 officers and 65 other ranks from the Battalion died on that day.

Walter, aged 32, was killed in action on October 9, 1917. Private Pinkerton was found after the war where he fell, near Zonnebeke Chateau (28.D.28.a.10.20); his remains were exhumed and reinterred at Hagle Dump Cemetery; Plot 4, Row E, Grave 12.

Sources 4

23rd Battalion Australian Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/40/25).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Sources used
6th Brigade Australian Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/6/26).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Sources used
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455).
https://www.naa.gov.au/
Sources used
Unit embarkation nominal rolls, 1914-18 War (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM8).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Sources used

More information 4