Private Percy Walter ROWE
Jan 1897 – 27 May 1916
Percy Walter ROWE was born January, 1897 at Waikerie to John and Emily ROWE, of WAIKERIE. Percy was the eldest son in the family. His parents were some of the earliest ‘Blockers’ in the area and he listed this as his employment when he enlisted. Percy attended school at Waikerie Primary and Higher Primary. He was well known and liked locally and a member of some local sporting clubs.
Percy enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force, into the Army at Waikerie commencing his application process on the 25th of April, 1916, the first anniversary of the ANZAC Day landings. Percy required approval by his parents to enlist as he was 18 years of age, he was given this permission by his proud father John. Percy passed his medical examination and attested at Adelaide on the 26th April, 1916. He was immediately sent to the training camp at Mitcham and allocated to the 2nd Depot Battalion as part of the 10th Battalion strength in training.
Percy was about 1/4 of the way through his basic training when he became ill, he was moved to the Battalion aid post on 23rd May 1916, and immediately moved to the “Number 6 Infectious Diseases Hospital” at North Adelaide where the illness was confirmed as ‘Cerebro Spinal Meningitis’ (C.S.M.).
Cerebro Spinal Meningitis, (now more commonly known as Meningococcal Disease) is an inflammation of the membranes of both the brain and spinal cord. C.S.M. is a chronic medical condition. The inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord often results in a very serious infection and in 1916 often became fatal meningitis.
The outbreak of C.S.M. was very serious, especially in a crowded place like an Army Camp. Over the period of the First World War hundreds of people died of this highly infectious disease in South Australia.
Despite the best of treatment, Percy died on Saturday morning, the 27th of May, 1916 of the illness. Three weeks after he left to enlist, his parents were advised by telegram of his passing. Due to his death by infectious disease, Percy could not be carried to Waikerie for burial, instead being interred in the “North Road Anglican Cemetery”, in Adelaide, alongside 26 other servicemen.
The local paper later reported, “A party of fellow settlers motored to town with Mr. Rowe to attend the funeral on Sunday, the 28th. Wreaths were sent from representative local bodies. The funeral was a military one and largely attended.”
Percy ROWE is commemorated at the Australian War Memorial on the Roll of Honour and on the War Memorial here in the WAIKERIE War Memorial Gardens.
