Name
Walter John Giddings
1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/05/1918
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/96798
Middlesex Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SOISSONS MEMORIAL
Addenda.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Walter was born in 1899 in Arlesey and his parents were Walter and Ellen Louisa Giddings (née Gadsden) who married in 1891.
In 1901 the family were living at Hitchin Road, Stotfold, Beds. Present were both parents: Walter (33) and Ellen (33), with Walter(senior) and working with cattle and Ellen as a pillow case maker. Their children were: Kate Emma Gadsden (10) daughter of Ellen and stepdaughter to Walter, Martha Gladys (8), Daisy May (6) and Walter John (1).
By 1911 the family were living at Wilbury Farm Cottages, Arlesey, Hitchin. Present were both parents, Walter now working as a farm labourer. The census recorded they had been married for 20 years with 8 children, of whom 1 had died. Of the above children Ellen was absent and the rest were joined by new siblings Frank Methuen (9), Sybil Ellen (4) and George Edward who was under one month old.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War database records that he was born in Arlesey, Beds and was living in Hitchin, Herts. when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
Walter enlisted (probably conscripted) on 24 February 1917 and mobilized on 7 September 1917 and medically examined for service the following day. He was recorded as 17 years and 7 month old, working at a cabinet maker and described as 5’ 5 7/10”, with 33” chest when fully expanded and of poor physical development.
He was posted to the 32nd Training Reserve Battalion on 10 September 1917, the 7th Reserve 25 November 1917 and to the 7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment at Tunbridge Wells on 12 December 1917.
He landed in France on 2 April 1918 – probably rushed across to stem the German massive Spring Offensive that nearly broke the British lines and died on 27 May 1917
He was originally reported as missing and it was not until 30 June 1919 that a letter was written to the officer in charge of records “that the unofficial report off the death of No. 96798 Pte W J Giddings, 2 Middlesex has been accepted as sufficient evidence for official purposes, and that the date of death has been assumed to be 27. 5. 18. The next of kin should be notified accordingly . . . . .”
Additional Information
His mother completed a statement of his living relations which was witnessed on 16 July 1919. It confirmed his parent names and the following siblings: brothers Frank (17) and George (8 ), sisters Kate (26), Martha (24), Daisy (22) and Sybil (12) – all were recorded at the Wilbury Hills address.
After his death £7 10s 2d pay owing was authorised to go to his father on 7 November 1919.
His pension cards record his father, also Walter, as his dependant, living at Whillbury Hills (sic) Arlesey, Beds. He was awarded a pension of 6s 6d a week from 13 May 1919 a later card records that Ellen Louisa died 2 March 1925.
His father’s address remained Wilbury Hills and in July 1919 he received Walter (junior)’s Death Plaque and Scroll, and British War and Victory medals on 21 September 1921
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
