Harold James Walker was born in Ballarat, Victoria, was single and a chemists apprentice when he enlisted with the 39th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement on 13 June 1916 at the age of 21. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 September 1916. In March 1917 he saw a promotion to Lance Corporal and three months later, on 8 June, he was wounded in action in Etaples with a gunshot wound to the right thigh, resulting in his immediate evacuation to England. He was admitted to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital for recovery, and proceeded overs to France to re-join his unit in September 1917.

He qualified for commission in 1918 and on 1 June 1918 received a promotion to 2nd Lieutenant. He had later developed scabies (a common malady effecting soldiers in the trenches) and was admitted to hospital. He returned to Australia on 14 march 1919 and received his discharge on 29 November 1919.
Tree No. 2451