Name
Walter Sydney Humphreys
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/08/1915
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
1740
Hertfordshire Yeomanry
"D" Sqdn. 1st/1st
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LALA BABA CEMETERY
III. D. 2.
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Hertfordshire Yeomanry Memorial, St Albans Cathedral
Pre War
Walter was the son of Walter Henry and Emma Catherine Humphreys, later of 7 Cecil Crescent, Hatfield. Herts., and born circa 1892.
The 1901 Census reveals Walter, aged 9, was living with his family and siblings and living in London Rd., Hatfield. His father was working as a Dairyman & Carman Contractor (Own Company), Mother, Emma. In 1911 the family were still living at London Rd. Walter, now 19, was an apprentice Coachbuilder.
Officially recorded living in Hatfield when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
Walter was in “D” Sqdn. 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry and as he was mobilised in October 1914, he would have been trained with them before the war.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of October 1914, in the second list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Humphreys, Sidney, Goldings, Herts. Yeomanry.” Then in October 1915: “Sidney Humphreys, - A Memorial Service for Sidney Humphreys was held in the Parish Church on Thursday, September 16th at 7.30 and was very largely attended a detachment of the Herts., Yeomanry also coming to do honour to the memory of their late comrade. The Service was very beautiful and especially noticeable how everyone joined in singing the three appropriate hymns chosen. Great feelings shown for Mr and Mrs Humphreys who are helped in their sorrow by full knowledge of the last moments of their son, received from the Chaplin: Trooper Humphreys was tenderly cared for up to the end.”
The Herts Mercury dated September 1915, reported: “Herts Yeomanry Man Dies of Wounds: Mr and Mrs Humphreys of Goldings Dairy received intimation from the Commanding Officer of the Eastern division at the War Office on Monday morning that their son Sidney a trooper in ‘D’ Squadron of the Herts Yeomanry, died from wounds on August 23, which he received in the recent fighting in Gallipoli. Trooper Sidney Humphreys, who was only 23years old, was their youngest son and joined the Yeomanry with two others of his close friends a few days before the regiment sailed for Egypt. He had served as an apprentice at Messers Gray and Sons, Coach Builders and was well up in all motor car and electrical work when he left England. A straight forward honest workman and a dutiful son, his loss will be severely felt by his parents and relatives for whom much sympathy is felt. He was a useful member of the Hatfield Fire Brigade. He represented the fourth generation of the family in the Herts Yeomanry, his Great Grandfather having joined the regiment in 1830.”
Awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, & Victory Medal.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
