Military History

Walter is listed as dying of wounds on 9 Oct 1918. He was buried at Delsaux farm in the Beugny which, at that time, was home to the 29th and 46th Casualty Clearing Stations. The war diary does not tell us when Walter was wounded but we believe that the diary indicates he was wounded the during the previous day, 8 Oct 1918. The entry for that day is transcribed below.

Rumilly - 8th October 1918: Barrage opened at 04.30. 2nd Div (99th Brigade) attacking Forenville with 62nd Div on their left attacking Nierenies. At zero + 30, 41st Bde moved forward to valley in front of Rumilly with 16th section about 1500 yards NE. Brigade fired on Railway behind Nierenies and Forenville. to cover final line.

Counter attack by Tankers supported by enemy infantry forces us back from Forenville but the tanks were eventually driven off. Fired barrage to retake Forenville ast 15.00 and again at 18.00. Whole area very heavily shelled all day with gas and 8" Howitzers.

Col P. Bartondsowers? wounded at 10.45 and command passed to Major Quiller-Couch, the senior officer at the guns. Major G. Messerry MC 16th Battery was killed riding from his section during the morning. Capt Greig MC, 47th Battery slighly wounded but at duty.

Also 2nd Lt Gibbs (17th Bty) 41st Brigade had 8 killed, 32 wounded and 2 missing.

Attack was successful and many prisoners taken. Niergnies, Forenville, Serannivillers being captured and Cambrai evacuated by the enemy.