General News
29 June, 2024
Veterans' Voices: Walter Cossar Hood Senior and Junior
Walter Cossar Hood - known as Walter Sr - was born on December 16 1897 in either Morwell or Bairnsdale in Gippsland.
His parents were Margaret Dunsmere Calder and Walter Cossar Hood of Annandale, Queensland.
Margaret and Walter, a farmer, had 10 children.
Walter Sr was their first born and inherited the name “Cossar”, which had been used in the family for generations for both male and female children.
In turn, Walter Sr married Sophie Gladys Dickenson and had five children: Betty (Saunders, who has just turned 102), Alan, Margery (Northfield, of Noradjuha), Walter Cossar Hood (Walter Jr) and Ian Cossar Hood.
Walter Sr enlisted in World War I on February 20 1916 at Horsham.
His next of kin was his mother Margaret of Polkemmet via Horsham.
Walter was single and 18 years of age.
His service number was 906.
He began as a private with 38th Battalion C Company and was later transferred to 59th Battalion AIF.
His unit sailed from Melbourne aboard HMAT Runic on June 20 1916.
Walter joined 10th Training Battalion from 38th Battalion on August 18 1916.
Walter was taken on strength to 60th Battalion ex Reinforcements 6th Battalion (originally from 38th Battalion) from 1st Australian Division Base Depot overseas.
He became ill in the field and was transported via 6 Ambulance train on December 7 1916 to hospital to embark Carisbrook Castle at Calais bound for England.
DWalter was diagnosed with the debility trench feet on December 13 1916.
When he was well enough he was posted fack to France with the destination Estaples.
He travelled aboard SS Golden Eagle on February 25 1917 (ex 15th Training Battalion) from Folkestone.
Walter rejoined his battalion between March 1 and 5 1917.
He was transported sick to hospital again on July 12, with firstly a chill and later bronchitis, and spent two weeks there.
Walter also suffered shell shock while fighting in France.
He rejoined 60th Battalion again on October 9.
Walter was subsequently wounded in his thigh and left foot and was transported back to Havre and shipped aboard the hospital ship HMHS Lanfrac (with capacity for 403 patients) to England to recover.
He was admitted to St Georges Hospital, Hyde Park Corner, with a fracture of the femur on April 18 1918.
He was transferred to 3 Auxiliary Hospital, Garfield, England, on July 18 1918.
Walter was discharged from service in Garfield and returned to Australia on May 15 1919.
According to the nominal roll, his unit was 59th Battalion AIF.Walter’s 2nd Service WW2
Walter Sr also volunteered for service in World War II, enlisting at Caulfield and serving in 3 Garrison Battalion.
His service number was V91691.
His next of kin at that time was his wife, Sophie.
He served from January 8 1941 to September 19 1943, again as a private.
Walter Sr died in Horsham in 1970 and was buried at Horsham Cemetery, with his late wife.
Walter Cossar Hood Jr, known as Mick, was born at Natimuk on February 20 1922, a son of Walter Sr and Sophie.
He had two sisters, Betty (who lives at Polkemmet) and Margary (of Noradjuha), and brothers Alan and Ian.
He volunteered for service on November 27 1940 at Polkemmet.
Mick's service number was V26407.
His rank was trooper.
He was discharged from 2/8 Battalion on October 22 1941 so he could enlist in 19 Machine Gun Regiment in the regular army on the same day at Royal Park in Melbourne.
He was living prior to enlistment at Natimuk.
Mick died on June 12 2003.
He is buried at Quantong Cemetery, Vectis, between Natimuk and Horsham.
The 19th Machine Gun Battalion was raised as a militia unit in the Wimmera in 1940.
Its headquarters were in Horsham.
Its members were transported overland from Colac in early January 1942 to Winnellie near Darwin.
By the end of January 1942 the unit was located in fixed coastal defence positions between Howard River and Mickett Creek.
In April 1942 there were detachments stationed at the RAAF Aerodrome, 30 Mile Post, 51 Mile Post and 66 Mile Post.
In September 1943 the name was changed to 19 Machine Gun Battalion and the battalion was reinforced by the addition of a company from 48 Battalion in South Australia.
In April 1944 Mick and the rest of the battalion were transferred to Watsonia Army Camp in Melbourne.
19th Machine Gun Battalion was disbanded in August 1944.
With thanks: Sally Bertram, RSL Military History Library. Contact Sally at sj.bertram@hotmail.com or call 0409 351 940.