Name
Walter James Howard (MM)
23 June 1894,
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/08/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
18800
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MILITARY CEMETERY
XIV. A. 7.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Baldock Town Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, Baldock
Pre War
Walter James Howard was born in Baldock on 23 June 1894, the son of James and Sarah Howard and was baptised on 26 August 1894 in Baldock.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Norton Street, Baldock, where his father was working as an engine driver in a sewage works. They remained in Norton Street in 1911 at which time 16 year old Walter was working as a newsboy. He had been employed by Blanks Newsagents for 8 years before joining up.
Walter was a keen sportsman and had been the Captain of Baldock Athletic Football Club and the Baldock Cricket Club.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment as a Private, serving in France with the 2nd Battalion from 17 August 1915. At some point he was promoted to Corporal and received the Military Medal for gallantry in the field. (circumstances unknown).
Walter was killed in action on 3 August 1918 and is buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £17 10s and pay owing of £10 3s 3d, She also received a pension of 5 shillings a week.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners, Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson
