WWII veteran Ernie Walker passes away at incredible age of 106

Australian hero Ernie Walker, who survived ‘hell on earth’ during World War II, has passed away at the incredible age of 106— the last remaining veteran of the incredible Tobruk siege in 1941.

NSW’s last remaining “Rat of Tobruk” - Ernie Walker - has passed away at the extraordinary age of 106 years.

The heroic World War II veteran – who also saw service on the infamous Kokoda Track campaign in New Guinea, died peacefully in his Southern Highlands home in Penrose, with his wife by his side last week.

It is understood there are only a handful of men still alive who were a part of the original “Rats of Tobruk” – Aussie soldiers who survived the incredible siege in the Libyan port in the year 1941, but Mr Walker was the last from NSW.

Five Dock RSL president Robert Ridge hailed Mr Walker, saying he would “always be remembered by those who knew him”.

“Ernie was a cherished member of Five Dock RSL sub branch, regarded as the spiritual home of the ‘Rats of Tobruk’,” Mr Ridge said.

Rats of Tobruk: Tobruk. Australians standing by in a hot section of the front, 400 yards from the enemy.

Private Ernie Chester Walker who served during at two of the most famous battles in Australian history during World War II. Source: Australian War Memorial.

The extraordinary efforts of mostly Australian soldiers for eight months surviving daily bombings and tank attacks from German and Italian forces in the Tobruk garrison earned them the legendary reputation as the “Rats of Tobruk”.

German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was unable to recapture the port due to the heroics of the Australian defenders.

Ernie Walker, one of the last living Rats of Tobruk, pictured in April 2021, at home in Penrose in the Southern Highlands with his wife Bev ahead of Anzac Day. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian

They never surrendered or retreated, enduring “hellish dust storms”, searing heat and living in dugouts, according to the Australian War Memorial.

“Their determination, bravery, and humour, combined with the aggressive tactics of their commanders, became a source of inspiration during some of the war’s darkest days,” the memorial states in its official documents.

Mr Walker spoke about his war experiences, saying he still had memories from North Africa and the war.

“We were given the name the Rats (of Tobruk) by the German propagandist Lord Haw Haw,” he said last year.

Ernie Walker as an army private. Picture: Supplied

Kokoda trail image from Australian War Memorial: Sapper Ernie Chester Walker is fourth on left wearing a hat, shorts and belt.

“The name was meant to be a dig about us being trapped like rats and living in holes”, but the Australians soon embraced it as a badge of honour, a title which -exemplified the courageous and resourceful virtues of the digger.”

Mr Walker was also, incredibly, also involved in the Kokoda Trail campaign, where more than 600 Australian soldiers died.

Mr Walker’s attestation form.

His funeral will be held at Bundanoon on Thursday, December 1.

The local Penrose Community Association paid tribute to him, saying “he was sharp as a tack until the end”.

“What a life Ernie led,” it posted.