Walter August Wilhelm Robke

Being of German origin, Walter was one of the people considered to be an 'enemy alien' when the second world war began. He had been in Australia for sixteen years and was a married man when he was captured as a Prisoner of War 'Internee' in North Queensland.

Walter, a 'fitter' by trade, was living at Dow's Creek via Mirani in North Queensland at the time. He was captured on the 13th December 1941 with the date of interment at the Gaythorne (Enoggerra) Prisoner of War and Internment Camp (concentration camp), being the 16th of December. Under special observations on his paperwork was written: "1 Year in Toowoomba, balance of period spent in Mackay District. Has not re-visited Germany."

On 9 December 1942 he was "Marched in ex Gaythorne' to Tatura in Victoria. There was a group of 7 internment camps in the area, with camps 1 and 2 being for single males, primarily German and Italian, located in Tatura. Walter was released on 21 August 1944 to the Civil Aliens Corps (CAC) in Melbourne. Through this program 'enemy aliens' worked on construction works, cutting and handling timber, clearing scrub and salt production. During World War II, the FCV (Forests Commission Victoria) were involved in establishing and managing camps in rural Victoria that housed 'Alien Workers' and Prisoners of War.

The "Property Statement - Prisoner of War" recorded Walter's personal effects as being 1 port and cash to the amount of 2 pounds/4/6 with the D.F.O. Brisbane.

Walter had a second mortgage of approximately 300 pounds on a Cane Farm at Mirani in North Queensland. He owned the following:

• 1 Draught Horse
• 1 Saddle Horse
• 1 Spring Cart
• 1 Plough
• 1 Set of Waggon Wheels
• Blacksmith's Tools and Sundries to the value of approximately 30 pounds.

An amount of 100 pounds owing by Mr. Greentree of Mackay and 35 pounds owing by Mr. S. Bruce of Mackay.

Walter was naturalized on the 15th May 1947. His place of residence at the time noted as City V Dairy, Bundamba, Qld. He worked at Kruger's Farm at Bundamba.

Walter died in June 1958 at the age of 56 and his wife Norah (Elenore) died on 18 June 2006 at the age of 89.