Military History

Walter is listed as being killed in action on 14th April 1917 and the Warwickshire Roll of Honour states that he was shot by a sniper. The 11th Battalion war diary entries for the period 11th to 15th April are transcribed below.

Holnon - 11/4/1917 - 10pm: Battalion in front line, Improving trenches, fire positions & communications trenches. Reconnaissance of ground in front

Holnon - 12/4/1917 - 10pm: Battalion remained in front line – Improving positions etc

Holnon - 13/4/1917 - 10pm: Battalion remained in front line – Improving positions etc

Holnon - 14/4/1917 - 10pm: Assault on Fayet by 2^nd K.Y.O.L.I & 16^th H.L.I commenced at 4.30am. Battalion remained in line ready to concentrate if ordered. Battn was ordered to attack Twin Copses at 1pm. Artillery opened up barrage at 1pm and Battn advanced on objective in extended order.

At 1.26pm Battn reached terraced road in M.28.c &M.34.b. A Machine Gun opened fire from left front & inflicted several casualties to the left flank of the leading Coy. Two platoons of the reserve Coy were ordered up to deal with it at 1.33pm. In this they were successful & captured the gun complete.

A telephone line was run out to Battn at 1.30pm & communications established. A report was received at 1.45pm to the effect that the right Coys had obtained their objectives and were consolidating. By 2pm all Coys were consolidating their line. Left Coy in M.28.g; Left centre Coy in M.28.d & M.29.e. Right centre Coy in M.29.c along eastern edge of copse. Right Coy in M.29.c and M.35.a.

Touch was established on the left with 17^th H.L.I who were in Gricourt. Apart from slight shelling about M.28.b & M.29.c, the situation remained quiet. Work was carried out all night on defences.

N of Fayet - 15/4/1917 - 10pm: Battn remained in line strengthening defences etc. Relief of Battn by 16^th L F’s & 16^th N. F’s commenced at 8.30pm