1889-1980
Father
Alexander Ross
Mother
Mary Ann Robertson
Siblings
Jane Margaret, Thomas Alfred Ewen, Jessie Florence, Ernest Robert, Ronald Malcolm, Hazel Elizabeth Christina, Ruby Barbara Belle
Married
Sarah Calvert Mary
Children
Walter James
Walter’s Life
Walter was born in Booligal in 1889, he often used the term “Hay, Hell and Booligal” (AB Patterson) to describe his birthplace.
Walter married Sarah Calvert in 1914 and they had a son, Walter James Vernon.
Walter enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces in August 1915 in the 6/21st Battalion. He landed in Cairo in November and was immediately hospitalised with a case of the mumps. During his deployment he was hospitalised several times for bronchitis, laryngitis and appendicitis as well as battle injuries, however, he did meet Edward, the Prince of Wales who visited the hospital he was a patient in, in England.
Walter sustained a gunshot wound to his left thigh in March, 1917 at Rouen and another to his left scapula in May at Bullecourt. This second wound left a deep-seated bullet near his heart that was left in situ for the rest of his life. Walter’s war was over and he returned to Australia and was discharged by the end of the year.
On his return, Walter and his family stayed in Victoria for some years then moved to Gunnedah in the early 30’s. The death of his son, Vernon, occurred there in 1932 when he fell from a horse. Walter never overcame this tragedy which contributed to the break-down of his marriage.
Walter eventually moved to the Tullamore district where he set up shop as a stock and station agent. He was an accomplished stockman who would turn his hand to anything around the farm.
After Walter retired, he lived on his own in a small, abandoned School House about 20 miles from town. this was the base from which he visited all the neighbors regularly, helping with whatever needed doing.
Walter located a Shetland pony in Deniliquin for us. Rather than organise a horse float, they went down in a Falcon ute. They just loaded ‘Jacko’ on the back of the ute (well tethered, I’m sure) and headed back the long road home, likely visiting a few pubs on the way. I am sure there were many motorists along the way who did a double take as they passed.
Walter was working with Dad one day in the cattle yards when a cow backed into him, and he broke his hip. He spent some time in hospital locally and then was to be transferred to Lewisham Hospital in Sydney. He did not want to travel in an ambulance and begged Dad to take him. We had a station wagon at the time, so a bed was made up in the back and off they went. He required a crutch for the rest of his life.
Walter drove a series of old cars as he visited (sometimes 3 or 4 times a week) us over the years, he would putt-putt down the road, and we knew it was time to put the kettle on. The Strudwicks were not the only ones that Walter visited on a regular basis, the Gillettes, Hosies, Williams who also lived quite close often had Walter’s visits very regularly. He would have a continuous cup of tea, eat home-made fare, study the form guide and smoke his rollies in a little stubby cigarette holder.
His two big days were Melbourne Cup and Anzac Day when he would stay in town all day. Walter passed away on Melbourne Cup day 1980 which he would have been happy with if he hadn’t missed the big race!
Authored by Leah Burnheim