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Married: 10th January 1931. Kohat. India.
Wife: Jean Duncan. nee: Gordon.
Died: 19th October 1939. Pershaw, India.
DUNCAN, WALTER JOHN CLARE (1894-1939), bank officer and soldier, was born on 27 January 1894 at
Inverell, New South Wales, eldest son of Walter Sydney Duncan, bank clerk and station-manager,
and his wife Margaret McIntyre, née McGregor. Educated at Inverell Grammar School, he joined
the Bank of New South Wales at Barraba in 1910 and was transferred to Narrabri in 1911,
Coonabarabran in 1915 and Sydney in 1916. He served for four years in the militia with the 5th
Australian Light Horse (New England) Regiment before World War I. His paternal grandfather and
two uncles had reached general rank in the British and Indian armies.
On 6 August 1914 Duncan had tried to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force but was rejected
because of insufficient chest measurement. Undeterred, he developed his physique and by March
1915 was a sergeant in the light horse. That month he gained a militia commission in the 13th
Infantry Battalion and in December rejoined the 5th Light Horse. He was accepted for the A.I.F.
on 7 March 1916 as a lieutenant in the newly formed 33rd Battalion and on reaching France in
November went into the line at Armentières. His first major action was the battle of Messines
where he won the Military Cross. His conspicuous gallantry in assault and his daring leadership
inspired his men until he was severely wounded on 10 June. On rejoining his unit he was promoted
captain in November and for the next two months was attached, for a liaison course, to the
Australian Flying Corps.
When a company commander in 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux, Duncan received the Distinguished
Service Order. His 150 men, with seven Lewis-guns, gained an excellent defensive position on 4
April and inflicted heavy casualties. Next day he led an advance and throughout the action
provided valuable information to headquarters. The citation praised his 'sound judgement and
initiative' and his 'gallant, fearless and cheerful bearing'. He was gassed on 17 April and was
out of the line until 8 August. He was awarded a Bar to his D.S.O. for gallantry in operations
near Bouchavesnes on 31 August in the struggle for Mont St Quentin: with magnificent dash and
daring he led the 33rd's left assaulting company in a series of formidable engagements at
Marrières Wood and on the Bapaume-Péronne road. He was twice mentioned in dispatches in 1918-19.
His brother, Private William Duncan, was killed in action at Pozières.
Duncan's A.I.F. appointment ended in England on 17 December 1918 after he had received a
probationary lieutenancy in the 1st Battalion, Queen Victoria's Own Guides, Indian Army. He
reached India in January. When the army was reorganized in 1922 the Guides Infantry was
incorporated into the Frontier Force Regiment as its 5th Battalion. Except for short periods
Duncan served with the guides and other battalions of the F.F.R. until his death, seeing active
service on the Frontier in 1919, 1930 and 1935; he was promoted major in 1934. He had married
Jean Gordon on 10 January 1931 at Kohat. Duncan died of an aortic aneurysm on 19 October 1939
at Peshawar and was buried at Mardan with full military honours.
Select Bibliography
Bank of New South Wales Roll of Honour (Syd, 1921); C. E. W. Bean, The Australian Imperial Force
in France, 1918 (Syd, 1937, 1942); W. E. H. Condon, The Frontier Force Regiment (Aldershot, 1962);
London Gazette, 25 Aug 1917, 26 July, 3 Dec 1918, 1 Jan, 11 July 1919; Reveille (Sydney), July 1935;
Inverell Times, 20 Oct 1939, 26 Apr 1977; Sydney Morning Herald 23 Oct 1939; private information.
7th July 1917 Lieutenant: DUNCAN I strongly recommend that the Military
Crosses be awarded to Captain: Charles Henry LINKLATER, and
Lieutenant DUNCAN. In the battle of MESSINES RIDGE, Walter John Clare DUNCAN displayed conspicious
gallantry and devotion to duty. He led the assault with great courage and dash. He hiself killed
three of the enemy. He remained in the 2nd line without relief for 80 hours until severly wounded.
By his wonderful cheerfulness and optomism during continious heavy shelling and by his fearlessness
and coolness he greatly inspited his men and set a splendid example.
33rd Bn AIF. Captain: Walter John Clare DUNCAN MC. For conspicuous
gallantry, excellent leadership and devotion to duty. On April 4th 1918 in the defence of
VILLERS-BRETONNEUX, Captain DUNCAN commanded the company on our left flank. Owing to the troops
on the left being pressed backour flank consequently was in serious jeopardy. Captain DUNCAN led
his company forward with great skill and dash and engaged the enemy with 4 heavy and accurate fire
causing him to withdraw. He followed thier retirement up and took up an excellent defensive
position. Throughout the day his Company maintained a very effective fire, inflicting many
casulties and greatly hampering the enemy's consolidation.
In the afternoon attack then our flank suffered he rendered immediate help by giving covering fire
and sending two platoons there, thus greatly relieving the situation. He later led his Company in
a counter attack in conjunction with the Cavalry, and again drove the enemy back, and inflicting
heavy casualties. Early on the morning of April 5th his company made an advance of 600 yards and
materially improved our position.
He kept Headquarters constantly supplied with useful information. This Officer displayed sound judgement
and initiative, and by his gallant, fearless and chearful bearing greatly enthused his men. The
value of his work cannot be overestimated.
16th July 1917
For distinguished service, conspicious valour and devotion to duty throughout the
operations South-West of BOUCHAVESNES on August 31st 1918. Commanding a company of 3 Officers 47
Other Ranks in attack on the ROAD WOOD. Captain DUNCAN killed or captured 20 enemy on the edge of
it, rushed a strong point capturing a further 20 prisoners. The enemy continued to resist strongly,
but by skillful and determined leadership, he cleared the wood, capturing 4 Machine-Guns. Leaving
the wood, he encountered and captured another Machine-Gun with 8 men. The English advance from
MARRIEHES WOOD being held by Captain DUNCAN immediately co-operated by reverse Lewis-Gun fire,
with the result that 100 enemy opposing the Londoners surrendered to them, and the advance was
continued.
Under exceptional heavy Machine-Gun and close Artillery fire, his company reduced to 30, Captain
DUNCAN fought his way to the BAPAUME-PERONNE ROAD. Finding an old quarry South of BOUCHEVESHES
strongly held, he attacked it inflicted 20 casulties, capturing 30 prisoners, 5 Machine-guns and
4 Trench Mortors. Having insufficient men to hold the flank post, he went back to the English
troops and led a party of 50 forward, and with them organised the post. Throughout the operation
Captain DUNCAN displayed wonderful dash and courage, which carried everyone with him. By his
splendid leadership and fighting spirit, he succeeded against seemingly overwelming odds.
Brigadier General H A GODDARD. Commanding , Nineth Australian Infantry Brigade.
7th September 1918
For most conspicious valour and devotion to duty throughout the operations
South-West of BOUCHAVESNES on August 31st 1918. Captain DUNCAN commanded the left assaulting
Company the strength of which 3 Officers and 47 Other Ranks. He led his command forward with
magnificent dash and daring. He led his command forward with magnificicent dash and daring. On
nearing ROAD WOOD which was held in great strength he was temporarily held up by heavy Machine-Gun
fire on the Western edge of the wood. He at once led a small party north of the wood, out flanked
these Machine-Guns opened an effective Lewis Gun fire on them killing 10 of the enemy. He rushed
the position and captured 2 Machine-Guns and 11 prisoners.
Stronh opposition was met from a strong point in the wood; Captain DUNCAN led a charge against it
and captured 2 Machine-Guns and 20 prisioners The enemy continued to offer a strong resistance
but by skilful, determined and most courageous leadership this Officer successfully overcoame it,
inflicted 20 casaulties and captured 20 prisioners, and 2 Machine-guns. The enemy continued to
fight stubbenly but Captain DUNCAN and his men were irresistible. On clearing the wood he
successfully encountered another Machine-Gun post, capturing the gun and 8 prisoners.
The English advance from MARRIERES WOOD was hed up and Captain DUNCAN immediately and offectively
cooperated with his Lewis-Guns by reverse fire. This resulted in over 100 of the enemy
surrendering to the Londoners and allowed their advance to continue. Under exceptionally heavy
Machine-Gun and close rangr Artillery fire, Captain DUNCAN and Company was now reduced to 30,
continued forward advance to BAPAURE-PERONNE Road after successfully dealing with the trench
systems east of the wood. On reaching the road he saw that the old quarry south of BOUCHAVESNES
was strongly garrisoned and endangered the Londoners advance. He at once led his men and working
from the south rushed the position and inflicted 20 casulties and captured 60 prisoners, 5 Machine-
Guns and 4 Trench Mortors.
Having insufficient men to hold this important position he went back 200 yards under extremely
heavy Machine-Gun fire to the English troops and led a party of 50 forward and with them organised
a sound defence. On the final objective he did most excellent work in the consolidation and
reorganisation of the Battalion. He again went back to the Londoners and obtained reinforcements
and placed them in position. This gallant Officer distinguished himself in the exploitation of
success by personally supervising the establishing ofadvanced posts.
Throughout the operation Captain DUNCAN displayed most wonderful and inspiring valour. He never
hesitated; his impetus carried everone forward with him. Wherever the fighting was heaviest he
was there. It was by his magnificient leadership and fighting spirit that success against seemingly
overwhelming odds was attained. By his wonderful valour and his utter fearlessness, his
determination and skilful leadership, his sound judgment and initiative and his cheerful optimism,
this Officer inspired the whole Battalion.
Bank Accountant for the Bank of New South Wales from Inverell. Served with the Indian Army.
(BEAN; History of World War V page 324)
Walter and Margaret Duncan had 4 children, all boys. Walter John Clare Duncan born 1894 at Inverell,
NSW. Birth Cert:16767/1894. Ronald M Duncan born 1895 at Inverell, NSW. Birth Cert: 23221/1895.
William C C Duncan born 1897 at Inverell, NSW. Birth Cert: 13012/1897. Sydney C Duncan born
1900 at Inverell, NSW. Birth Cert: 13372/1900.
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(Australian National Archives)
Under Constuction 11/03/2007
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