Obituaries Australia

Blair Wark, photographer unknown, c.1915

Australian War Memorial, P01046-001

Thousands of people gathered in Taylor Square and in Flinders Street yesterday to watch the military funeral of Lieutenant-Colonel Blair Anderson Walk VC DSO who collapsed and died at Puckapunyal military camp Victoria on Friday. A service at the Kinsela Chapels was conducted by the Rev A. P. Campbell of the Binwood Congregational Church and was attended by many senior military officers representatives of the Australian Armoured Division of which Lieutenant Colonel Wark was an officer, representatives of the 1st Battalion A.M.F. which he commanded and representatives of the NRMA and other bodies with which Colonel Work was associated.

Among those who attended were the General Officer Commanding Eastern Command Lieutenant General C. G. N. Miles; Major-General A. Fewtrell the Director-General of Recruiting; Major-General H. W. Lloyd; the Lord Major Alderman Crick; the president of the NRMA Mr J. C. Watson; and Sir John Harrison.

The pall-bearers were Lieutenant-Colonels G. H. Anderson, B, V, Stacey, C. E. Morgan, A. G. Morris, J. Anchau, W. J. Smith, H. W. Davies, I. G. Fullerton and R. J. Downing. The bearer party from an infantry brigade was commanded by Lieutenant W. Engleson.

Near the cemetery the procession was joined by the 2nd Garrison Band and an escort from the 1st Battalion commanded by Major L. W. Casier. A firing party from the 9th Infantry Brigade School fired three volleys at the cemetery. Several other VC winners were present.