Military History

Enlisted as Private 1.3.1916 and trained at the NCO School in Belmont 1.4.1916.
Embarked Fremantle per ‘Militiades’ A28 for UK 7.8.1916.
Roll Rank A/Cpl.
Roll Unit 19th Reinf. 11th Infantry Bn.
Hess disembarked with the 11th Bn. at Plymouth 24.9.1916. He marched into the 3rd Training Bn. at Perham Downs. After months of intensive training he proceeded overseas to France per SS ‘Princess Victoria’ 4.12.1916. He joined Australian Division Depot at Etaples and reverted to rank 5.12.1916. Hess joined ‘C’ Coy. of the 11th Bn AIF. He transferred from the 11th Bn. to 1st Anzac Corps Light Railways(ACLR) 13.1.1917. Hess was promoted 2nd Cpl. He was detached to duty with the ACLR 23.5.1918. at the Petit Voir Siding at Le Havre 27.7.1917. He returned to his unit 20.9.1917. Hess was promoted from Sapper to T/Cpl. 23.5.1918.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Borda’ 11.5.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 23.6.1919.
Discharged 25.8.1919.
Final Rank 2nd Cpl. 3rd Australian Corps Light Rail Operations.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P08559.001
             Damaged tanks from Pozieres loaded onto flat cars Australian Light Railway Corps. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C01368
                         Light Rail France 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E02768

Information Source
AWM P08559.001. HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  C01368. Damaged tanks from Pozieres loaded onto flat cars Australian Light Railway Corps. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E02768. Light Rail France 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Walter James Hess
Guildford Volunteer Fire Brigade Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Hess J
Wesley Chapel Honour Roll
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

119 Swan Street, Guildford. WA.(next to Ct House)

Associated Images