Francis Henry Walton was born in Ballarat and was a Labourer by trade when he enlisted din the 39th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement on 6 September 1916 at the age of 22. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 20 October 1916. He reached England in January 1917 then on to France in April to serve with the 39th Battalion. On October 12th 1917 he was wounded in action, suffering gunshot wounds to his middle finger and left leg. He rejoined his unit in January 1918 but was hospitalised with dysentery in July. He returned to his unit on November 1st 1918, just 10 days before hostilities ceased. Whilst in England awaiting his return to Australia, he was granted two months leave for ænon-military employment in the U.K.'. He worked as a painter with a London house decorating business, Geo. Trollope and Sons. He then returned on the Euripides, reaching Melbourne in October 1919.
Tree No. 2514