Military History

Walter is listed as being killed in action on 22 Dec 1915. The 1st Battalion War diary that day is transcribed below.

22nd Dec 1915 - 8pm: 1/2 Bn in Bethune / 1/2 Bn in trenches near Beuvry: A & C Coys in billets. B & D Coys in Z.1. The minor operation postponed from the 17^th and 21^st was at last carried out. The idea was to commence operations with a small gas attack. Under cover of this a small raiding party was to attempt to enter the German trenches, take one or two prisoners and if possible collect any papers etc which might contain information. As originally planned 2^nd Lt Langwell was put in charge of the enterprise but as he had gone on conducting duties Lt Stafford took charge.

The party consisted of 20 men (all carefully chosen). At 8pm the gas was released. Discharge finished at 8.10pm. Fires were immediately lighted on the enemy’s parapets and heavy machine gun and rifle fire opened with some shelling. The enemy rifle fire lessened about 8.25pm but shortly afterwards became intense again. Our guns replied up to 9.30pm when all was quiet. Most of the enemy’s fire was directed at 2^nd & 3^rd line trenches. One of M.G’s at junction of 15 Boyau with support line was disabled.

As it was obvious that the main effect of the enterprise viz, a surprise attack had entirely failed the raiding party under Lt Stafford did not go over. During the shelling 2^nd Lt J.B. Heaton was badly wounded by pieces of shell in the shoulder.

Total casualties was 1 Officer wounded, 1 O.R. killed and 4 O.R. wounded all by shell fire. (In addition 2 O.R. R.E were wounded and 3 gassed).