The AIF Project

Walter James SELMES

Regimental number2514
Date of birth19 November 1885
Place of birthGoulburn, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationMachinery expert
AddressNarromine, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation31
Next of kinFather, Henry Selmes, Narromine, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date20 July 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name17th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/34/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 5 October 1915
Regimental number from Nominal Roll7811
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll3rd Divisional Salvage Company
FateReturned to Australia 6 September 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Photo: Kent Fedorowich
Discharge date1 December 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 17th Bn, Egypt, 5 February 1916.

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 23 March 1916.

Wounded in action, 27 May 1916 (shell shock); admitted to 35th General Hospital; transferred to England, 27 May 1916; admitted to Kitchener Hospital, 27 May 1916. Transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 1 July 1916; discharged to No. 2 Command Depot, Perham Downs. Married Henrietta May JANKS, Christ Church, Brighton, 2 August 1916.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Wiltshire', 12 November 1916; disembarked Sydney, 31 December 1916; discharged, 16 February 1917 (medical unfitness, not due to misconduct, shell shock).

Re-enlisted, 3 January 1918, as 7811 Pte, and embarked from Melbourne on HMAT A71 'Nestor' in 3rd Bn, 26th Reinforcement; disembarked Liverpool, England, 20 April 1918. Transferred to 35th Bn Details, 1 July 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 15 August 1918; transferred to 3rd Divisional Signal Company, 15 November 1918.

Marched in to No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, for return to Australia, 23 February 1919; commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Berrima', 6 September 1919; discharged, 1 December 1919.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Second attestation form gives Wife, Mrs H.M. Selmes, 24 Montipearle Street, Brighton, England, as next of kin.

Total war service: 1 year 332 days (of which 1 year 254 days were abroad)

Date of death4 December 1953
Age at death68
Place of burialOrange Cemetery, New South Wales

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