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Walter Clemson - Information

When the war began, the Clemsons were living in Mount Hunter near Camden. Walter was born in Camden c1885 to Roland and Lucy Clemson. Walter made a living working as a horse driver, while also gaining military experience with the 2nd Light Horse. When Walter was 30 years old, he decided to enlist in the AIF, joining up on the 28th of November 1916 at the Royal Showground Camp in Sydney. Two days later, he was despatched to the 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment as a Trooper. Walter was shipped out from Melbourne on the 10th of May 1917 onboard the HMAT Boorara.

Walter landed in Suez in June, and was marched out to a Training Depot. The following month, he was transferred to the Divisional Train. In August, he was appointed Driver, and was transported to the Australian Mounted Divisional Train Headquarters in Moascar. He was later taken on strength to his unit as part of the 995th Army Service Company. Walter and his unit aided operations throughout Sinai and Palestine delivering men and war material. Performing his duties in November, he cut his shin on the trek while attending to the mules. Also in mid 1918, he contracted malaria, leading to several attacks throughout the year. In late June, he reported sick with debility, requiring 8 weeks of treatment at the 14th Australian General Hospital. He was then granted some convalescence after the war ended; he was very sickly. In January 1919, he was taken to the 2nd Stationary Hospital. He had been feeling very weak, had a poor appetite, indigestion and persistent headaches. He was sent back to Australia in mid March, and was discharged from military service in June. Walter later met and married Ida Brown in Newtown in 1928, beginning a new life together.