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Local Heroes WW1
SAMPSON, Walter Ralph
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(Corp) Walter Ralph Sampson 936
Corporal Walter Ralph Sampson 936, a Clerk from Sandwell, Port Adelaide, South Australia, prior to enlistment 14 February 1916, he embarked with the 43rd Battalion, Machine Gun Section from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A19 Afric on 9 June 1916.
| Regimental number | 936 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Address | c/o Mrs Valentine, Robert Street, Sandwell, Port Adelaide, South Australia |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 37 |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Theresa Sampson, c/o Mrs Valentine, Robert Street, Sandwell, Port Adelaide, South Australia |
| Enlistment date | 14-Feb-16 |
| Rank on enlistment | Lance Corporal |
| Unit name | 43rd Battalion, Machine Gun Section |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/60/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A19 Afric on 9 June 1916 |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 43rd Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia 11 January 1918 |
Walter Ralph Sampson
Pre War: Employed as an Able Seamen, at Hull, England before coming to Australia. He had seafaring papers re his capability as an Able Seaman.
During War: Whilst on leave in England he visited with his elder brother Will.
Post War: Employed by John Darling* & Sons as a Tally Clerk, he was based near the wharf at Port Adelaide in connection with the Company’s wheat loading operations. His duties also included travel between the ports of Port Adelaide and Ardrossan. He was for many years a member of the Semaphore RSL. He both lived and worked in the Port Adelaide District.
[*NOTE: John Darling and Son was an Australian wheat merchant and flour milling company, also shipping agents and grain exporters, operating from Port Adelaide.]
Walter Ralph Sampson back Right
Walter Ralph Sampson front Right
Walter and Theresa March 5 1918 Woolnough Road Exeter
Honours
Corporal Walter Ralph Sampson was entitled to wear a "Discharged Returned Soldier Badge" on return to Australia after being discharged from the 43rd Battalion Medicaly Unfit (Not Due To Misconduct) on 10/5/18.
A Circular brass badge surmounted by a King's crown. In the centre is the AIF rising sun emblem surrounded by the text 'Issued by Dept. of Defence "Returned from Active Service". The reverse has been impressed with the the makers details and a number. These badges were issued to all soldiers and nurses who returned to Australia from active service and were discharged.
"Discharged Returned Soldier Badge"
Honours
Corporal Walter Ralph Sampson was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal which were sent by Base Records Melbourne in 1922.
The British War Medal 1914-1920 was awarded to members of British and Imperial forces for service between the outbreak of hostilities on 5 August 1914 and the Armistice on 11 November 1918, although eligibility was extended to include service in various theatres up to 1920. There were 338,000 medals in silver awarded to Australians.
The Victory Medal 1914-1919 was awarded to members of British and Imperial forces for operational service only, between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, although eligibility was extended to include service in various theatres during 1919. There were 336,000 medals in silver awarded to Australians.
British War Medal and Victory Medal Trio
The Semaphore War Memorial was dedicated in 1925 to honour all of those from the district who fought in the war, such as Walter Ralph Sampson.
Local commemoration
The Semaphore War Memorial on the Esplanade was dedicated in 1925 to honour all of those from the district who fought in the war. A temporary ‘Memorial Arch’ of wood and iron was first erected at the entrance to the Semaphore Jetty bearing the banner title, ‘For King & Empire’. On 27 April 1924, four foundation stones for the new memorial were laid at the approach to the jetty – one on behalf of the citizens of Port Adelaide district, one for the RSSILA, one on behalf of the parents of the fallen men, and one on behalf of the widows and orphans.
Corporal Walter Ralph Sampson was most likely among the several thousand people who attended the unveiling of the Semaphore War Memorial on 24 May 1925. With him would of been his wife Theresa.
The following year, a granite obelisk was erected on the foundation stones, with an electric ‘turret type’ clock and topped by a marble Angel of Peace with wings outspread. The local newspaper noted, “all the names of those who enlisted from the district or who made the supreme sacrifice cannot be placed on the monument” so it instead bears a simple commemorative plaque.
On 27 April 1924, four foundation stones for the Semaphore War Memorial were laid at the approach to the jetty – including this stone laid by Colonel Charles Philip Butler DSO (ex-43rd Battalion AIF) on behalf of the returned sailors and soldiers such as Corporal Walter Ralph Sampson.
Semaphore & Port Adelaide RSL
For the 2015 commemoration of the Anzac Centenary, the Semaphore & Port Adelaide RSL has created a virtual Honour Board listing the names of over 2,000 local men who volunteered to serve in World War 1. Among them are counted Walter Ralph Sampson, Clerk and a Returned Veteran of service in France.
