Lance Sergeant Patrick Joseph Walton

Patrick Joseph Walton was born in Ballarat East, Victoria, in 1892 to parents Patrick Francis and Catherine Lucy (née Baille) Walton. When he was in his teens, Patrick became an apprentice to his father and worked as a painter and wallpaper hanger.

Walton enlisted to the Australian Imperial Force on 14 June 1915 at the age of 23. He was assigned to a reinforcement company and embarked on HMAT Nestor on 11 October 1915. After his arrival in Egypt, he was allotted tothe 59th Australian Infantry Battalion. He was transferred to the 5th Australian Pioneer Battalion on 3 March 1916, and he had arrived in France to serve on the Western Front with his unit by 25 June 1916. During his service, Patrick was promoted to Lance Corporal (5 April 1916) and Corporal (mid-1917).

Patrick Joseph Walton attended the Army Signalling School in Dunstable, England, from 22 November 1917 to 24 January 1918. However, after his time at the school, Walton failed to re-join his unit and was absent without leave from 24 January until 8 February 1918, when he reported himself to his company. He was subsequently court martialled and forfeited 21 days’ pay as punishment. Walton then returned to France and was promoted to Lance Sergeant on 21 July 1918.

Walton returned to Australia on HMAT Argyllshire on 1 August 1919. During the voyage home, he took part in a performance given by the concert party The Fragments. This performance took place on 12 August 1919, and featured a variety of song and dance items. Walton performed a duet of the song “The Battle Eve” with Sergeant James Rice of the 6th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company.

Upon his return, Walton lived in Ballarat and continued his work as a painter. In the early to mid-1920s, he moved to Queensland, and on 31 July 1929 he married Muriel Agnes Davidson. They lived in Toowoomba until c. 1934, when they moved to their long-term home in Redcliffe. Patrick and Muriel appear to have had two daughters. Patrick Joseph Walton died on 4 March 1953 at the age of 61.