Walter James Llewellyn Reid

Walter’s story is very different to all the other men that have been written about. His untimely death would not only affect his family but would also have implications in Canberra with the Minister of Defence.

Walter James Llewellyn Reid was the second child of William John and Annie Florence (née Watkins) Reid. He was born in 1894 in Prahran, Victoria. A sister, Naomi, would follow in 1895 and a brother, Robert, in 1898. Tragically, Robert would only live for a year.

A letter, found in the National Archives file of Alexander Baptie, would provide the link between the Upper Murray and Walter. The letter was written by a Walwa resident, Mrs Mary E Wall, and in it she asks for information regarding two young men who had been working as farm hands around Walwa and who both enlisted very early in the war. She concludes her letter by stating that both of these men were farewelled from Walwa. 

Walter enlisted in Melbourne, Victoria on the 5th of October 1914. His medical examination was conducted by Dr Hugh Wickens in Tallangatta two days after Walter had signed his attestation papers. He was taken on strength with A Company of the 9th Light Horse stationed at Broadmeadows Camp just outside of Melbourne. Walter must have had some musical training as he was made the Company buglar.

On the 26th of October, Walter became ill. He was sent to the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance at the Camp. He was immediately taken to the Melbourne Hospital where he died of pneumonia on the 2nd of November. He was buried the following day at Brighton General Cemetery.

Walter’s service file at the National Archives of Australia is over 30 pages long Most serving men’s files run to about 30 or 40 pages. However, Walter was only in the armed forces for less than one month. His file contains nearly 20 pages of communications between different administration sections of the District Headquarters of the 3rd Military District trying to find out who had forgotten to inform Walter’s family that he was seriously ill or even that he had been taken to hospital.

When Walter’s uncle, James Reid, called the commandant's Office at the District Headquarters, nothing was known about Walter’s death or his burial. As it so happened, on the 1st of November Annie Reid was travelling to the Broadmeadows Camp as she had heard, by pure accident, that Walter was ill. She was then informed, possibly by one of Walter’s tent mates, that he had been taken to hospital. Annie went immediately to the hospital where she was able to sit by Walter’s side until he died.

Many statements stand out amongst the pages of typed text. One stated that someone at the Broadmeadows Camp decided that “Trumpeter’s Reids case was not considered serious when he was sent from Camp, as the case was diagnosed as influenza.” Even Walter’s commanding officer, Captain W.H. Scott was not initially informed that Walter was seriously ill and had been taken to hospital. Captain Scott was told of his trumpeter’s death by William Reid, Walter’s father.

Late in November, it was the politicians turn to come under fire. The 28th of November 1914 edition of the Weekly Times ran this article.

“RELATIVES NOT TOLD

BUGLAR BURIED ON CUP DAY

Mr J. A Jensen, Assistant Minister for Defence, admitted, in reply to a question in the House of Representatives by Dr W. Maloney, that he had received a communication from the relatives of Walter Reid, who was a burglar at Broadmeadows Camp, complaining that he was placed in hospital in Melbourne, and that, on his there dying, he was buried on Cup Day, without their being informed of the fact.

The Minister added that he was having the matter inquired into, and had asked for a report.”

On the 4th of January 1915, the District Headquarters, CMF, 3rd  Military District released their findings;

“The following is a copy of a communication received from the Adjutant-General;

With reference to your 14/8299 (undated) relative to the death of Trumpeter Walter Reid, late A.I.F. it is directed that in future, action is to be taken by District Headquarters to inform the relatives as soon as possible in every case of a member of the A.I.F. who is reported to be seriously ill or who is admitted to the Melbourne General Hospital.

The Camp Commandant. Broadmeadows has been informed accordingly and instructed that if future D.H.Q. is to be informed when a man is seriously ill either in Camp or when he is sent to any of the Hospitals. At the same time, the D.H.Q. is to be informed of next-of-kin and address, in order that they may be immediately notified.

(Sgd) J.C. Hawker. Colonel

A.A.G. 3rd Military District.”

Walter is remembered on the Walwa Roll of Honour.