Service number | 114, VX8345 |
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Ranks Held | Lance Corporal, Private, Sergeant, Warrant Officer Class 2 |
Birth Date | 09/08/1887 |
Birth Place | Australia: Victoria, Barkers Creek |
Death Date | 23/05/1968 |
Death Place | Australia: Victoria, Melbourne, Caulfield South |
Final Rank | Warrant Officer Class 2 |
Service | Australian Imperial Force |
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Conflicts/Operations |
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Warrant Officer Class 2 Walter Peeler
Walter Peeler was born near Castlemaine, Victoria. He enlisted in February 1916 in time to join the 3rd Pioneer Battalion. He was slightly wounded during the battle of Messines in June 1917.
On 4 October 1917 Peeler was one of several Lewis gunners attached to the 37th Battalion for the attack on Broodseinde Ridge. In the forefront, he led attacks against a series of enemy posts, eventually accounting for over 30 of the enemy. A few days later Peeler was wounded and while recuperating received the Victoria Cross from the King.
During the Second World War, Peeler understated his age and enlisted in the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion. After serving in Syria, he was captured with his unit in Java during 1942 and spent three and a half years as a prisoner of the Japanese. He was a Custodian of Victoria's Shrine of Remembrance between 1934 and 1940 and from 1945 until 1964. He was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1961.
Peeler was awarded the Victoria Cross, British Empire Medal, service medals for the First and Second World Wars, and coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
Rolls
-
Second World War POWs and Missing Persons:
- Unit
- 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
- Conflict
- Second World War, 1939-1945
- Rank
- Warrant Officer Class 2
-
Honours and Awards:
- Unit
- 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Lance Corporal
-
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):
- Unit
- 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Lance Corporal
-
First World War Embarkation Roll:
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
First World War Nominal Roll:
- Unit
- 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Sergeant
Timeline
Date of birth | 09/08/1887 | |
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Date of embarkation | 06/06/1916 | |
Date of enlistment | 22/02/1916 | |
Date returned to Australia | 29/08/1918 | |
Date of death | 23/05/1968 |
Related information
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Subjects
Objects
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