Studio portrait of 521 Corporal (Cpl) Walter Vivian Partridge, 33rd Battalion from Walcha, NSW. A ...

Studio portrait of 521 Corporal (Cpl) Walter Vivian Partridge, 33rd Battalion from Walcha, NSW. A 25 year old labourer prior to enlisting on 4 January 1916, he embarked for overseas with B Company from Sydney aboard HMAT Marathon (A74) on 4 May 1916. Following further training in England, he proceeded to France in November where he was awarded a Military Medal (MM) for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the Battle of Messines Ridge from 7 to 11 June 1917. Although severely shaken several times by shells bursting close by and burying him, Cpl Partridge remained in the forward line until his company was relieved. On several occasions he carried wounded to safer places until stretcher bearers arrived. He was wounded in action on 11 June, evacuated to England for medical treatment, and did not return to France until October 1917. After being promoted to Sergeant on 6 February, he was wounded in action (gassed) on 18 April 1918 and again evacuated to England for three months. Following his return to France, he was wounded in action for the third time on 22 August 1918, evacuated to England and then returned to Australia, arriving on 20 February 1919.