Military History

Waltham enlisted in Perth with the 28th Bn .was promoted to A/Cpl 23.4.1915
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Ascanius’ A11 for Egypt 9.6.1915
Roll Rank Corporal
Roll Unit 28th Battalion, ‘C’ Company.
Waltham disembarked in Egypt and spent 2 months training in Egypt. It is unclear if he served in Gallipoli, however, he reported to base sick with a disability and was returned to Australia per HS ‘Wiltshire’ as Prov. Corporal and one of 12 guards for the wounded Gallipoli soldiers 31.8.1915. Waltham disembarked in Victoria Australia 25.9.1915 and was treated for a disability.
He re -enlisted in Adelaide with the 8th Battalion 12th Reinf. and embarked per HMAT ‘Ceramic’ A40 for Egypt 23.11.1915. Waltham disembarked in Suez. He was hospitalised with Mumps at Abbassia 18.2.1916. Waltham marched in to the Australian Reserve Brigade at Zietoun 8.3.1916. He entrained to Alexandria, joined the BEF and embarked for France per HMT ‘Transylvania’ 29.3.1916. Waltham disembarked at Marseilles 4.4.1916 and marched in to Base Depot at Etaples. Waltham reverted in rank to Private, following a charge of disorderly conduct 5.6.1916. He rejoined his Unit 15.5.1916 and was taken on strength in the field 17.5.1916. The 8th Battalion took part in its first major Battle at Pozieres between July and August 1916. Waltham was KIA at Pozieres 18.8.1916. He was buried near where he fell, East of Pozieres, 4 ½ miles NE of Albert. His body was exhumed and reinterred in 1922 to the Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, Pozieres, Picardie, France. Plot 4. Row R, Grave No.18.
Final Rank Private 8th Bn AIF.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photo Richard Waltham. Photogragher unknown, Photograph source AWM H0678
           HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph source AWM H16157
           Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P00591.002
           Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Boiselle, France. Donor Sir Herbert Ellison. Photograph source AWM H12683
          
Information Source
AWM H0678.Richard Waltham. Photographer unknown, photograph source Pictorial Collection Australian War Memorial,  https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/H0678/
AWM H16157. HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/H16157/
AWM P00591.002. Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P00591.002/
AWM E00998. Australian graves at Pozieres  12 months after the battle, 1917.  Photographer unknown,photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E00998/
AWM H12683 Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Boiselle, France. Donor Sir Herbert Ellison. Photograph source Pictorial Collection,  https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/H12683/ Australian War Memorial,https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/H12683/
AWM Embarkation Roll Richard Waltham
AWM Honour Roll Richard Waltham
AWM 8th Bn., https://www.awm.gov.au/unit/U51448/
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Waltham R

Claremont. WA.
Brighton. Victoria. (later)

Associated Images