Walter Grant did not have a pleasant war. He was admitted to hospital in May of 1917 with influenza then in November, 1917 with "trench fever, severe" - the fever being a bacterial disease spread by lice which was endemic in the Great War front lines. The condition was rarely life-threatening, but between 20 to 30% of the British Army were affected with it and were put out of action by it. His condition is described as "severe" in a newspaper list on 29/11/1917. He returned to New Zealand in August, 1919.
Walter's army records also show he was afflicted by "Potts' disease" - a new one on me. Potts' is a tubercular condition of the spine in which the tb has migrated from the lungs. It can cause kyphosis - a hunchbacked collapse of the vertebrae. His records do not specify that he was "gassed" as recorded in the 1925 newspaper report of his death but survivors of gas attacks often suffered from the lasting side effects for the rest of their lives - however long or short a time that was.
PERSONAL
The death occurred at Gore on Saturday of Mr Walter Henderson Grant, second son of Mr and Mrs Robert Grant, of Balfour (says the Southland Times). Deceased, who was born at Balfour 38 years ago, enlisted with the 22nd reinforcements, having previously managed his father's farm at Balfour. He served in France and returned to the Dominion in August, 1919. He was gassed at the war, and since that time had been practically an invalid being in hospital in the Old Country, at Dunedin, and at Gore. He was always of a quiet and retiring disposition and during the whole of his long illness showed great fortitude. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends goes out to the bereaved family. Deceased was buried with military honours at Balfour yesterday. -Otago Daily Times, 23/9/1925.
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| Balfour Cemetery. |
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