Name
Walter Samuel Inwood
3/10/1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/11/1916
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
2066
Royal Fusiliers *1
23rd (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No.2
I. F. 27.
France
Headstone Inscription
FATHER IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING LEAVE WE NOW THY SERVANT SLEEPING
UK & Other Memorials
St John the Baptist Church Memorial, Aldenham, St John the Baptist Church Roll of Honour, Aldenham, Ind Plaque (on wall), 9 Radlett Road, High Cross, Letchmore Heath Village Memorial, Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance, Not on the St Stephens memorials
Pre War
Walter Samuel Inwood was born on 3rd October 1892, in St Stephens, St Albans, Herts, son of John Inwood (a Wheelwright & Carpenter) and Sophia (nee Anscomb) Inwood.
His parents married 21 April 1877 at Holy Trinity, Frogmore, Herts. John died 12 June 1911 in Aldenham, Herts, aged 58, and was buried 17 June at St John the Baptist, Aldenham; Sophia possibly died 1935 in the Luton, Beds, district aged 82.
Walter was one of twelve children, four of which died in infancy. He was born 3 October 1892 in St Alban’s, Herts was Baptised on 2nd December 1894, in the Parish Church, Frogmore, Herts.
1901 Census records Walter aged 8, living with his parents, and six siblings in Aldenham, Herts.
He attended Frogmore J.M.I. School from 30 June 1896 to 14 October 1897; then Watford Grammar School from January 1903 to July 1909. He resided in Aldenham, and was a bell-ringer at St John the Baptist, Aldenham.
1911 Census records him aged 18, working as a Bank Clerk, living with his parents, and sister Rose (20) at High Cross, Aldenham, Herts. His father John died in 1911, aged 58.
Wartime Service
Walter enlisted 7 February 1916 in Watford, posted to the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) with the service number STP/2066, and had been selected for a commission.
He was Killed in Action at Beaumont Hamel on 13th November 1916. He is buried in the CWGC Serre Road Cemetery No. 2. Somme, France. Grave Ref; I. F. 27.
He is also remembered on an inscribed panel on 9 Radlett Road, High Cross which reads: "Lest We Forget, Walter Samuel Inwood left this house, Fed 7th 1916 to fight for his King and Country and fell in France Nov 14th 1916 aged 24 years."
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads: “INWOOD, WALTER SAMUEL. School period: January, 1903, to July, 1909. Lance Corporal, 31st Royal Fusiliers. Enlisted 7th February, 1916. Killed in action on the Somme, 14th November, 1916 ; had been selected for a commission.”
His mother, Mrs. S. I. Inwood, 23, Buckingham Road, Watford, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "FATHER IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING LEAVE WE NOW THY SERVANT SLEEPING".
His mother Sophia received a Dependents Pension of 15/- a week from 17th July 1917 and a War Gratuity of £3. His Pay Owing was £3-8s-0d, £2-19s-6d went to his mother and 8/6 to his brother Harry.
There is an article about Walter in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 9 December 1916; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 17 November 1917 and 16 November 1918.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London) Bn. London Regiment.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Taff Williams
Jonty Wild, Gareth Hughes, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk), Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH online via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
