| Regimental number | 3348 |
| Place of birth | Windsor, England |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 24 |
| Height | 5' 10.5" |
| Weight | 168 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, P F Higton, 65 Trigon Road, Clapham, London, SW, England |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 1st Battalion, 11th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/18/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Company Sergeant Major |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal 'Work near Hargicourt on 18 and 21 September 1918.' Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'In the operations near HARGICOURT on the 18th and 21st September, 1918, Sergeant HIGTON showed great courage and devotion to duty and was of material assistance to his Company Commander, particularly on the 21st September, 1918, when he took a prominent part in attacking and mopping up enemy positions, which presented difficult tasks by reason of the easy concealment afforded by the nature of the country. With a small party he entered an enemy trench and captured the garrison, and then worked forward making a careful reconnaissance of the enemy defences, which enabled him to return with valuable information.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Taken on strength, 1st Bn, Tel el Kebir, 6 January 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 22 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 28 March 1916. Promoted Corporal, 7 August 1916; Temporary Sergeant, 18 September 1916; Sergeant, 26 October 1916. On Command, Divisional School of Instruction, 29 December 1916; rejoined Bn, in the field, 28 January 1917. Admitted to 1st Division Rest Station, 2 April 1917 (trench fever), and transferred same day to No 3 Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train No 23, 5 April 1917, and admitted to 3rd Stationary Hospital, Rouen, 6 April 1917. Transferred to No 2 Convalescent Depot, Rouen, 10 April 1917; to 11th Convalescent Depot, Buchy, 11 April 1917; to 1st Australian Division Base Depot, Etaples, 11 May 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 18 May 1917. On leave to United Kingdom, 7 June 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, from leave, 20 June 1917. On leave to Paris, 11 September 1917; rejoined Bn from leave, 16 September 1917. Wounded in action, October 1917 (gun shot wound, right arm), admitted to No 3 Field Ambulance, and transferred to Casualty Clearing Station; to No 11 General Hospital, Dounes, 5 October 1917; to No 6 Convalescent Depot, 7 October 1917; discharged to Base Details, 9 October 1917. Admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 28 October 1917, and transferred to No 10 Casualty Clearing Station (chancre: contracted on leave in Paris); transferred to 39th General Hospital, Havre, 1 November 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 18 October 1917; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 45 days. Rejoined Bn, in the field, 31 January 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 22 March 1918; rejoined Bn from cancelled leave, 25 March 1918. Wounded in action (second occasion), 16 April 1918 (gun shot wound, back); admitted to 1st Australian Field Ambulance, 18 April 1918, and transferred same day to 15th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to 14th General Hospital, 20 April 1918; to England, 23 April 1918, and admitted same day to Central Military Hospital, Fort Pitt, Chatham, Kent; discharged on furlough, 3 May 1918, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 17 May 1918. Admitted to Military Hospital, Sutton Veny, 18 June 1918 (influenza); discharged to No 1 Command Depot, 25 June 1918; marched in to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 24 July 1918. Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, 9 August 1918 (specific throat); discharged from hospital, 14 August 1918, and marched in to Overseas Training Brigade. Proceeded overseas to France, 29 August 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 5 September 1918. Promoted Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class II), 27 September 1918. Admitted to 2nd Field Ambulance, 22 February 1919 (pharyngitis), and transferred same day to 2nd Casualty Clearing Station; to Hospital Train No 36, and admitted to 14th General Hospital, 24 February 1919. Trasferred to England, 26 February 1919, and admitted same day to King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London; transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 5 March 1919; discharged on furlough, 17 March 1919, to report to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 31 March 1919. Granted leave with pay and subsistence from 7 April to 7 October 1919 (Non-Military Employment: metallurgy, attending T.H. Jones & Co., Werrington Street, St Pancras, London). Awarded Military Medal, 17 June 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Pakeha', 6 October 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 24 November 1919; discharged, 24 January 1920. Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Father's address incorrectly recorded on Embarkation Roll as Frigan Road. |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, HIGTON Walter Edward |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
