Walter John Heather (abt. 1886 - 1917)

Walter Heather was Killed in Action during World War I.

Walter was born during 1886^[1] to Oliver and Mary Ann Heather.

NEW ZEALAND FORCES^[2]
TWENTY-FIVE DEATHS.
Including Eight PRISONERS OF WAR.
KILLED IN ACTION.
(May 28.)
HEATHER, WALTER JOHN (Mr Horace Heather, Melbourne street, South Dunedin, brother).

THE FALLEN AND WOUNDED^[3].
PERSONAL NOTES
Private Walter John Heather (killed) was born at Dunedin, and was in his 30th year. He enlisted in the Fourth Reinforcements, and after reaching Egypt was in hospital for some time with a poisoned foot. After he was discharged from hospital he was sent to a training school to learn signalling, being subsequently placed in a machine-gun crew. He went to Gallipoli with the Sixth Reinforcements, and saw a great deal of heavy fighting on the peninsula. When the New Zealand troops were withdrawn from the Dardanelles, Private Heather went to France. He fought through the battle of the Somme without receiving a wound. Private Heather was a painter by trade. He was a very prominent member of St. Matthew’s Church, Dunedin. His younger brother, Private Alfred Henry Heather, left New Zealand with the 15th Reinforcements. He was recently invalided from France to England, where at latest advices he was still in hospital.

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE^[4].
IN MEMORIAM.
HEATHER.—In fond and loving memory of our dear brother, Private Walter John Heather, who was killed in action on May 26, 1917.
Till the day breaks
And the shadows flee away.
—Inserted by his loving sisters and brothers.
HEATHER.—In fond and loving memory of our dear brother, Private Walter John Heather, who was killed in action on May 26, 1917.
Sad thoughts gather round our hearts,
While tears of sorrow flow;
And to a sad and lonely grave
Our thoughts they daily go.
—Inserted by his loving sister, brother, and nephews, F. and T. Churchill, Auckland.

Walter was initially buried at the Rosenberg Chateau Military Cemetery (3 1/2 miles SW of Warneton 4 miles N of Armentieres )^[5] and was re-interred at the Berks Cemetery Extension during 1930.

Sources

1. ↑ Archives New Zealand: R16793827 New Zealand Defence Force, Personnel Archives
2. ↑ Evening Star , Issue 16444, 7 June 1917, Page 8
3. ↑ Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15929, 16 June 1917, Page 9
4. ↑ Otago Daily Times , Issue 17945, 26 May 1920, Page 4
5. ↑ Archives New Zealand: R16793827 New Zealand Defence Force, Personnel Archives