Walter was born at Maryborough, VIC on the 29^th of April 1893 to Francis William Phillips and Katherine Farrell. He married Annie Cosgrove of Bacchus Marsh in 1915 - she died in Bacchus Marsh in 1927 - they had at least one son, Walter Terrence. Walter had two brothers-in-law, James and Martin Cosgrove, who are also remembered in the Avenue.

Walter was a labourer for the Water Commission⁽¹⁾ (or State Rivers) and gave his address as Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF, Field Artillery on the 24^th of July 1915, aged 22. He was presented with a medal⁽²⁾ by the Bacchus Marsh Patriotic Committee in October. Walter transferred to the 13^th Reinforcements, 1^st Divisional Ammunition Column in November before he embarked aboard the HMAT A19 Afric in January 1916, disembarking in Egypt in February.

In February 1916 Walter was posted to No. 1 Section before he transferred to the 1^st Field Artillery Grigade, 3^rd Battery shortly before embarking from Alexandria, Egypt in March.

Walter disembarked at Marseilles, France in late March 1916. In July 1917 he was granted a week's leave shortly before being promoted to Acting Bombardier and then to Second Bombardier in early August. During the Third Ypres Offensive, on October 16^th, Walter was wounded in action - gassed - and admitted to the 2^nd Casualty Clearing Station. After reverting to the rank of Gunner he was admitted to the 1^st Birmingham War Hospital, England. In early December Walter was discharged to two weeks furlough and classified B1A2 - fit for overseas training camp in 3 to 4 weeks. He was with the Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery when he proceeded overseas to France in February 1918, eventually rejoining his unit in August. Walter was admitted to the 3^rd Australian General Hospital, Abbeville, France, suffering from influenza in mid October and evacuated back to England ten days later - diagnosed with myocarditis. he was discharged to two weeks furlough in mid December, however he went AWL, extending his furlough for an extra ten days - for which he forfeited 36 days pay. In February 1919 Walter embarked for home aboard the Ascanius, returning to Australia in April and was discharged from the AIF in May.

Walter enlisted at Werribee, VIC in the Australian Army on the 7^th of April 1942 and was discharged as a private in the 1^st Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps in February 1944.

Walter died at Geelong, VIC in 1978, aged 84.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour, the Roll of Honour for the Bacchus Marsh ANA and the Roll of Honour for pupils of Parwan State School⁽³⁾.

Notes

1. The Bacchus Marsh Express 31 Jul 1915
2. The Bacchus Marsh Express 16 Oct 1915
3. According to Thomas Phillips' grandson, Peter Phillips, Thomas Phillips would have attended the Catholic school in Bacchus Marsh - so it is probably Ted Phillips that is remembered at Parwan.