Pair khaki puttees : Lieutenant W L Waterhouse, 2 Battalion, AIF

Australian Army pair of khaki puttees. Each puttee is made from a single panel of shaped twill weave wool fabric. The leading end has a rolled top stitched hem. The end is folded to a tapered pointed end to which is attached the maker's fabric label and a length of wool twill tape for winding. A puttee is a cloth band that was wound around a soldier’s leg from their ankle to their knee. They were designed to provide support when walking and protect against harsh weather conditions. Length 2700 mm each.

Walter Lawry Waterhouse was born in Maitland, New South Wales on 31 August 1887. Educated at Sydney Boys' High School where his father was headmaster, Waterhouse entered Hawkesbury Agricultural College, gaining its diploma in 1907. He was headmaster of a Methodist high school in Fiji before enrolling in 1911 in the new agricultural science course at the University of Sydney, where he graduated with first-class honours and the University medal. A graduate of Agricultural Science, and a university demonstrator by profession, Waterhouse already had seven years experience in the militia prior to enlisting for service in the First World War. In 1915 Waterhouse declined the 1851 Exhibition science scholarship, opting instead to enlist in the 2nd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, on 21 June. Commissioned in December and allotted to the 14 Reinforcements of the 2nd Battalion, Waterhouse embarked for active service on HMAT Osterley on 15 January 1916. After a period of training in Egypt, Waterhouse disembarked at Marseilles on 4 April 1916, joining his unit the following month. Waterhouse attended the Divisional Bomb School, and was made Brigade Gas Officer.

Lieutenant Waterhouse was awarded a Military Cross for an action on 19 August 1916 at Pozières the citation reads: ‘conspicuous gallantry in the capture of an enemy’s strong post which he had been sent to examine. He took several prisoners. Later, during a heavy bombardment he set a fine example to his company.’

On 12 November 1916 Lieutenant Waterhouse suffered a gun shot wound to the left shoulder. He was evacuated to No.8 Australian General Hospital at Rouen, and transferred to No.3 London General Hospital. In mid-January 1917 Waterhouse was struck off strength due to his severe injury, and returned to Australia on the HS Kanowna.
Post-war, Waterhouse married and continued an outstanding career in agricultural botany, producing successful rust-resistant wheat varieties. Walter Waterhouse died on 9 December 1969.