Military History

Being under the age of 21 years Partridge had to receive written parental permission to enlist. He joined the Artillery as a Gunner 1.12.1916 and was transferred to Maribyrnong Vic. for training with Artillery Reinf. 23.2.1917.
Embarked Melbourne per ‘Port Sydney’ A151 for Egypt 4.11.1917.
Roll Rank Gunner.
Roll Unit Field Artillery, 7th Reinf.
Partridge disembarked with the 7th Reinf. Field Artillery at Suez 12.12.1917. They were moved to Alexandria and embarked with British Expeditionary Force (BEF) for UK 18.12.1917. Partridge was admitted to the ship’s hospital with measles 20.12.1917. He disembarked and was admitted to the Taranto Hospital in Italy 23.12.1917. The confined space onboard for soldiers meant there was a high risk of contagion - soldiers were isolated on board their ship and disembarked to a hospital as soon as was possible. Partridge re embarked and proceeded to England. He marched in to Heytesbury to join his Bn. 25.1.1918. He was admitted to hospital with Influenza August 1918. The Artillery Reinf. proceeded overseas to France 7.9.1918. They marched in to the 5th Div. Artillery Column 12.9.1918 on the Somme (possibly Amiens). Partridge transferred from 5th DAC to 14th Field Artillery Bde. 22.10.1918. He was granted leave from 7.4.1919 to 31.7.1919 for a stock breeding course at Agricultural College, Aberdeen.
Embarked England per for Australia per HT ‘ Plessy’
Returned/Disembarked 7.10.1919
Discharged 17.11.1919
Final Rank Gunner, 55th Battery, 14th FAB
Medical Condition NK
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Port Sydney' A15. Originally' Star of England'. Photographer unknown, photograph AWM C02483
             Carrying ammunition to the Australian Artillery front line, the day prior to the Battle of Amiens 7.8.1918 . Photographer unknown, photograph source E02849
             Artillery prepare to support 4th Army Bde October 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0364

Information Source
AWM C02483. HMAT' Port Sydney' A15. Originally' Star of England'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E02849. Carrying ammunition to the Australian Artillery front line, the day prior to the Battle of Amiens 7.8.1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0364. Artillery prepare to support 4th Army Bde October 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Meorial
AWM Embarkation Roll-Walter Stephen Partridge
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Partridge Walter Stephen


Brunswick Junction, WA.

Associated Images