MBHS Darlinghurst ~
Historical Tributes ....
Captain Walter Gilchrist MC
Walter Richard Gilchrist was born in 1890 in
Paddington, Sydney and attended Marist Brothers High School at St.
Mary’s Cathedral as a boy. He had trained as an Engineering Surveyor
before enlisting in the Army on the 8th
of September 1914, aged 24 years and 10 months, and his skills were put
to good use in the Australian Engineers Division during the War.
Gilchrist’s first posting was to Gallipoli, and he quickly rose through
the ranks of the Army; from Private in 1914 to Captain by 1916. During
his service in The Great War, he was posted to many places, including
Belgium, Anzac Cove and Gallipoli in Turkey, the ancient Egyptian cities
of Heliopolis and Zeitoun in Cairo, Mudros in Greece, Alexandria in
Egypt, Moascar on the Suez Canal and Marseilles, Passchendale and
Pozieres in France.
Gilchrist was mentioned in despatches in
August 1916 “for good conduct in connection with the recent hard
fighting round Pozieres, France.” In the same year, his initiative and
devotion to duty on the 20th
of October was to be recognised with a Military Cross. That day,
Gilchrist provided “…reliable and early information…” to Infantry
Brigade Headquarters;
“Lieut. Gilchrist rendered plucky and valuable
assistance in guiding parties to their destination under fire. [His]
services have been of a most distinguished nature throughout these
operations and have maintained the high standard reported during the
first Pozieres action.”
He was awarded the Military Cross a month
later, yet he was to die tragically in France on the 3rd
of May 1917. He was reported to have been buried in an isolated grave
200 yards South South-East of Pozieres but by end of the War the exact
location of his grave was lost. As a result, his name is recorded on the
National Memorial to the Missing at Villers-Bretonneux in France. A fine
posthumous portrait of Walter Gilchrist in oils by Florence Rodway is
preserved at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Upon Walter’s death his older brother Albert
Richard Gilchrist (who was also on active service in France) was sent
his brothers kit bags while his mother Mary Gilchrist was sent his
personal belongings. Tragedy struck the Gilchrist family again when
Albert was also killed on the 1st
of September 1918. Unlike his brother, Albert lies in a marked War grave
at the New British Cemetery at
Assevillers, France.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Coleman & M.C.C. Archives
Historian: Scott Coleman
Email: scottandrhondacoleman(a)live.com.au