Gunner

Walter Henry Lergessner

Walter Henry Lergessner was born on the 25^th of November 1895 in Brisbane, Quuensland, to Mr Franz Xavier (Frank) Lergessner and Mrs Amelia Caroline Christine Lergessner (nee Engfer) as the second of their 4 children. Walter’s siblings were his older sister Augusta and his younger brothers Herbert and Stanley.

Walter Henry Lergessner was born on the 25^th of November 1895 in Brisbane, Queensland, to Mr Franz Xavier (Frank) Lergessner and Mrs Amelia Caroline Christine Lergessner (nee Engfer) as the second of their 4 children. It is worth noting that Walter’s birth certificate records his name as Walter Herman Lerchgessner and he appears to have anglicised his name at some point to Walter Henry Lergessner. His Australian born father appears to have done likewise, while his German born mother does not appear to have done so. This was not an uncommon practice for families of German heritage, particularly at the outbreak of the First World War. Walter’s siblings were his older sister Augusta and his younger brothers Herbert and Stanley. In 1905 the family moved to the Coomera area residing at Hope Island. Walter would subsequently attend Coomera Upper State School from 1907 to 1909. Prior to his enlistment in the AIF, Walter worked as a Draper. He enlisted on the 28^th of July 1915 and would be assigned to the 11^th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, where he served with the 42^nd Battery.

The 11th Field Artillery Brigade formed in Egypt in early 1916 to support the newly raised 4th Division. It went on to serve in Egypt:Defence of Egypt, Western Front: Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, Bullecourt, Messines, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Passchendaele, Villers Bretonneux, Hamel, Amiens, Albert, Hindenburg Line,

After an initial stay in hospital with mumps, Gunner Lergessner, joined the 11^th Field Artillery Brigade in June 1916. Gunner Lergessner was killed in action on the 20th of September 1917. Brigade and Red Cross records state that Gunner Lergessner and three other members of his battery were killed in action during the fighting at Menin Road Ridge when an artillery shell destroyed the dugout that they were sheltering in.

This battle was part of the British Commonwealth 1917 Ypres offensive and was a decisive victory for the Australian Corps. The use of artillery and its effective tactical handling played a decisive role in the battle. Despite early success, the Ypres offensive would eventually stall in the mud of Passendale, without achieving a decisive breakthrough.

The Last Post Ceremony Menin Gate Ypres - Video Youtube Blackmore-Heal Media

The history of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial - Commonwealth War Graves Commission 

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