Born in St. Arnaud, Victoria and a labourer by trade, Walter Henry Barrett was 33 years and single when enlisted on the 17th of July 1915 in the 23rd Battalion, 7th Reinforcement, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 3014. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth on the 26th of November 1915 and was listed as returned to Australia on the 4th of May 1917. Wounded in action dangerously ill gunshot wounds abdomen on the 19th of July 1919. Returned to Australia per 'Miltiades' which reached Melbourne on the 2nd of July 1916, illness being specified as painful scar abdominal adhesion; discharged as medically unfit on the 3rd August 1917 and was listed as returned to Australia on the 12th of May 1919. War service: Egypt, Western Front Tree No. 3307