The British War Medal issued to 28318 Pte. Walter Beattie, who was wounded during the Battle of Messines, and later capture and made Prisoner of War at Meteren in April 1918.

Walter Beattie was born on 19th October 1875 at Skye, Scotland. He emigrated to New Zealand  in early 1914. He enlisted in June 1916, and embarked with the 18th Reinforcements. He served on the Western Front with 14th (South Otago) Company, 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment from February 1917. He suffered a gunshot wound to his buttock on the opening day of the Messines Offensive, 7th June 1917 and evacuated to a hospital at Rouen. He returned to his unit in late October 1917. In March 1918 he was transferred to the 2nd Entrenching Battalion, and was captured along with over two hundred of his comrades, at Meteren on 16th April 1918. Walter returned to England on his release from captivity, arriving 4th January 1919. Walter returned to New Zealand, dying at Masterton n 31st July 1949.

The BWM is correctly impressed 28318 PTE. W. BEATTIE. N.Z.E.F.

Service file held at Archives New Zealand