WALTER GOLLAN

Rank: Private

Service Number: 4529

Units: 32^nd and 43^rd Battalions

Personal Details: Walter was born in April 1898 in Pt. McLeay, SA, now known as Raukkan. His parents were Frederick and Cissy Gollan. He was a labourer when he enlisted.

Enlistment Details: Walter was 18 years and 6 months old when he enlisted on the 18^th October 1916. He was 5’ 2” tall, weighed 139 pounds with a black complexion, black eyes and brown hair. He described himself as a member of the Church of England. As he was under 21 his mother, Cissy wrote a note giving her permission for him to enlist. He was assigned to the 12^th Reinforcement of the 32^nd Battalion and embarked from Adelaide on the 16^th December 1916 aboard the HMAT Berrima.

Details about his role in War: Walter arrived in Devonport in the UK on the 16^th February 1917. He was then sent to the 8^th Training Battalion at Hurdcott. On the 11^th April he was sent to Parkhouse Hospital suffering from the mumps, returning to Hurdcott on the 30^th April. On the 25^th September he left England for France landing in Le Havre. On the 10^th October he was Taken on Strength by the 43^rd Battalion. Walter would have been in the thick of the fighting as the Australians were heavily engaged with holding back the German Spring Offensive. He remained with the battalion until the 23^rd May 1918, when he was diagnosed with Influenza, which was probably one of the earlier cases of the “Spanish Flu” which ended up killing more people than the war itself. He re-joined the 43^rd on the 18^th June and was with the unit until the armistice. He would have been part of the almost constant fighting that began with the Battle of Amiens on the 8^th August and continued until the Australian’s were pulled out of the front lines in early October. He was granted leave on the 19^th October and returned on the 30^th. He was then detailed to the 3^rd Divisional Headquarters on the 13^th December and remained there until 14^th April, 1919. On the 28^th April the 43^rd was sent to the UK. Walter spent the next 2 months at Codford before returning to Australia aboard the Themistocles leaving England on the 12^th June.