Austin John Walters – Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Howe Battalion

Able Seaman Austin John Walters – Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Howe Battalion

Early Life

Able Seaman Austin John Walters was born in Swansea, the son of John H. Walters and Alice Mitchell. His early life unfolded within a working family whose movements reflected the changing labour demands of early‑20th‑century Swansea.

1901 Census

In 1901, the Walters family were living at Gorsefach, Sketty. John Walters, aged 30 and born in Devon, worked as an agricultural labourer, while his wife Alice, aged 26, cared for their young children. Their household at this time consisted of Austin J. (7), Arthur W. (5), and Alice Maud (4). The census captures a small but steadily growing family rooted in rural labour and community life.

1911 Census

By 1911, the family had moved to Stepney Road, Cockett, Swansea. John, now 40, was employed as a Repairer Below Ground, a role associated with the mining industry. Alice, aged 36, continued to manage the home. The census records a shift in the family’s circumstances and the children’s development. Austin appears to have been recorded under the name Arthur, aged 17, working as a market gardener. His siblings were Arthur (15), a butcher’s apprentice; Alice M. (14), still attending school; May (5); and Stephen (4). This period reflects a household in transition, with older children entering the workforce while younger ones remained in school.

Service with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Austin enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) and served with the Howe Battalion of the Royal Naval Division, a unique formation composed of naval personnel who fought as infantry on land. The battalion saw some of the heaviest fighting of the Gallipoli campaign, often under harsh conditions and with limited rest.

Howe Battalion on 27^th June 1915

On 27^th June 1915, the Howe Battalion was engaged in the opening phase of the Battle of Gully Ravine, one of the most intense and costly operations on the Helles front of the Gallipoli peninsula. The attack aimed to push forward along the left flank following earlier Allied gains, with the ultimate objective of advancing towards Krithia and the commanding height of Achi Baba.

The terrain around Gully Ravine was steep, broken, and heavily defended. Ottoman forces held strong trench systems and firing positions overlooking the approaches. The Howe Battalion, already worn down by earlier engagements, was ordered into action as part of a coordinated assault involving British, Indian, and other Royal Naval Division units.

The fighting on 27 June was brutal. The battalion advanced under heavy rifle, machine‑gun, and artillery fire, suffering significant casualties. Contemporary accounts describe men of the Howe Battalion sleeping in the firing line, exhausted from constant strain and the unrelenting tempo of operations. It was during this phase of the battle—amid the chaos and heavy losses of the Gully Ravine assault—that Able Seaman Austin John Walters was killed in action.

Death and Burial

Able Seaman Austin John Walters was killed in action on 27^th June 1915 during the fighting at Gully Ravine. He is buried at Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey, a burial ground established for those who fell during the early stages of the Gallipoli landings. His grave stands as a lasting testament to the sacrifice made by so many young men from Swansea and beyond