Patrick Joseph Walton (SN 3500) was born in Ballarat where he enlisted as a 23 year old painter and paper hanger on July 3rd 1915. On October 11th he embarked from Adelaide aboard the Nestor and sailed to Egypt where he was assigned to the 5th Pioneer Battalion. He was moved to England before reaching France on August 2nd 1917. After some time, he was withdrawn to England to undertake signals training, before returning to France in April 1918. Soon after this he was found guilty of being absent without leave for two weeks which ultimately cost him 60 days pay. When the fighting ceased, he was granted three months leave to engage in house decorating and painting. On August 2nd 1919 he left England aboard the Argyllshire for return to Australia which he reached on September 22nd. He was discharged two months later.