Walter Richards was born in Ballarat, was single and working as a government servant when he enlisted in the 39th Battalion, C Company on 1 May 1916 at the age of 22. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 27 May 1916. In August 1917 he was wounded in action with a severe gunshot wound to the right leg and was invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth. He re-joined his unit and proceeded overseas to France in January 1918 and was awarded the temporary rank of Captain in April. While in France he was wounded a second time with a severe gunshot wound to the left forearm. He returned to Australia aboard the Hospital Transport D20 on 5 July 1918, arriving on 24 August.
Tree No. 2365