Background
Born in Bondi Junction, New South Wales. After completing high school he worked as a grocer and salesman in Sydney. He played rugby league for St. George in Sydney. On August 31, 1935 he married Linda and the couple lived in Waverly, NSW. They had three children: Spencer and Terrence "Terry" and June.
Wartime History
He served in the Australian Army, 33rd Battalion, 3rd Company (Militia) and was discharged. During 1940, he joined the NSW Police and was stationed at Redfern. At age 25, re-enlisted on December 31, 1943 at Paddington, Sydney. Promoted to Lance Corporal Spencer Henry Walklate, NX202843. Assigned to the "Z" Special Unit (Z-Force).
Mission History
On April 11, 1945 "Operation Copper" (originally code named "Operation Ash") eight
Australian Army Z Special Unit (Z Force) commandos boarded HMAS HDML 1321 in Aitaple Harbor. The force included: Lt. Alan R. Gubbay, Lt. Thomas J. Barnes, Sgt Malcolm F. M. Weber, L/Cpl Spencer H. Walklate, Sig Michael S. Hagger, Sig John R. Chandler, Pte Ronald E. Eagleton and Spr Edgar T. Dennis.
Their objective was to motor near Muschu Island, then paddle ashore in four folboats. Strong currents pushed them southward and swamped and capsized some of their boats causing them to loose equipment. The force made landfall near Som Point and waited until morning. Ashore, their mission was to capture a Japanese soldier for interrogation and to make a beach
reconnaissance for a perspective landing area. Also, reconnoiter the island's defenses and locate two concealed naval guns, then use their folboats to rendezvous with HMAS HDML 1321.
During the night, they board four folboats and paddled towards Muschu Island. Strong currents pushed them southward and swamped and capsized some of their boats causing them to loose some equipment. The force made landfall near Som Point and waited until morning.
Although they had lost some of their equipment, they continued on their mission which was all but complete when they took a wrong turn on their march back to their secret camp and encountered an Japanese patrol. The commandos' prisoner slipped off his gag and shouted. The men escaped this enemy patrol, and later attempted unsuccessfully to put to sea on a raft, losing many more of their weapons in the process. In an attempt to make contact with friendly aircraft or patrol boats, Lt Gubbay, Lt Barnes, L/Cpl Walklate and Pte Eagleton put to sea on logs. They were never seen again.
The remaining commandos: Sgt Malcolm F. M. Weber, Sig Michael S. Hagger, Sig John R. Chandler, Pte Ronald E. Eagleton and Spr E. T. Dennis remained on Muschu Island. On April 14, they approached bomb craters seeking fresh water and ran into a Japanese patrol and all were killed except Spr Edgar T. Dennis.
Memorials
Officially, declared dead on April 13, 1945. The Australian Army Unrecovered War Casualties Unit led by Major Jack Thurgar investigated this case and recovered the remains of Walklate and Eagleton. On June 12, 2014 Walklate was buried at Port Moresby War Cemetery (Bomana) at C8. E. 23. The memorial service included an honor guard from the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) and the 1st and 2nd Commando Regiments provided the funeral party. Also in attendance was 94 year old Edgar "Mick" Dennis, sole survivor of the raid.
War Crimes Investigation
In September 1945, after the official Japanese surrender, the garrisons on Muschu Island and Kairiru Island surrendered and became Prisoners of War of the Australian Army. In October 1945, Captain Kiyoshisa Noto was interrogated and submitted a sworn statement to Australian Army Headquarters about his role with Allied prisoners. Captain Kiyoshisa Noto was found guilty for his role in Thorpe's execution and found guilty of the execution of two Australian commandos from this raid. At the Rabaul Wart Crimes Trial, he was sentenced to twenty years but only served one year of his sentence then was released.
References
CWGC - Spencer Henry Walklate
The Naval Land Unit That Vanished in the Jungle pages 78-81
The Guns of Muschu
Funeral Service for two Australian soldiers of the Second World War at Bomana War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea on 12th June 2014
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