| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P00159.001 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white, Portrait |
| Physical description | Black & white, Portrait |
| Place made | Australia: Queensland, Toowoomba |
| Date made | pre 1914 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Walter Lesley Schwarz with his mother. Schwarz enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) ...
Description
Walter Lesley Schwarz with his mother. Schwarz enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in 1915, but felt he was being discriminated against because of his name. He deserted in England and joined the Royal Fusiliers under his sister's married name Merritt. He became a Lieutenant, won the MC and bar and was mentioned three times in despatches. His right leg was amputated above the knee to save his life after he was severely wounded at Ledeghem on 14 October 1918. To the British he was a hero, to the AIF a deserter. This problem was resolved in 1921 when King George V granted him a pardon.