Name
Walter (Wallie) James Perry
24 November 1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/04/1917
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
27612
King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
8th Bn. & East Lancashire Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 2
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Tewin Village Memorial,
St Peter’s Church Muster Roll, Tewin,
Family grave inscription, St Peter's Churchyard, Tewin
Pre War
Walter James Perry (known as Wallie) was born in Tewin, Herts on 24 November 1890, the son of James and Hannah Elizabeth Perry, and baptised there on 11 January 1891. He was one of 12 children, although two had died by 1911.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Village Street, Tewin, where his father was working as a Woodman. In 1901, when Walter was 10 years old, they had moved to Lower Green, Tewin.
By the time of the 1911 Census, Walter had moved out of the family home and was living as lodger with George Foster at The Firs, Northy Lamby, Notts and working as 'Improver at Market Garden'.
He married Margaret Chamberlain at Orchard Street Chapel, Preston on 24 November 1914 and on enlistment he was living at 49 Fletchers Road, Preston and working as a driver for a wholesale confectioner.
His widow later gave her address as Rose Cottage, Stuart Road, Pebbleton, Preston.
Wartime Service
Walter enlisted at Preston, Lancashire on 10 December 1915, was put into the Army Reserve and not mobilised until 20 April 1916.
He was initially posted to the Royal Field Artillery, then transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers, the East Lancashire Regiment and finally the 8th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment.
On 7 October 1916 he was sent to France, joining his Regiment in the field on 17 October. He was wounded in action on 20 December and received a gunshot wound to the head on 22 December but recovered and re-joined his Regiment on 23 December.
He was killed in action near Arras, France on 30 April 1917. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His widow received a war gratuity of £3 10s and pay owing of £3 0s 3d. She also received a pension of 13s 9d a week.
Brother to Harry and Charles Perry also named on the Tewin memorials. The three brothers who died are also commemorated on the family headstone in Tewin (St. Peter) Churchyard - Harry is the only one of the three buried here. Their inscription reads:
THE BELOVED SONS OF JAMES AND ELIZABETH PERRY
WALLIE, - AGED 26, PTE. K.O.R.L. KILLED IN ACTION AT ARRAS. 26TH APRIL 1917(*1).
IN LOVING MEMORY FROM HIS DEAR WIFE
ALSO
CHARLIE, - AGED 21
SERGT. 11TH ROYAL SUSSEX REGT., KILLED IN ACTION AT ST. QUINTEN. MARCH 22ND 1918(*2).
ALSO
HARRY, - AGED 19, PTE. 8TH BEDS REGT. DIED AT FELIXSTOWE NOVR. 3RD 1918
TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WE LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT TO DIE.
DEAR BOYS FULL STOP TOGETHER FOR ALL TIME.
*1 Officially his death is recorded as 30th April.
*2 Officially his death is recorded as 3rd April, perhaps he was reported as missing on the earlier date.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer
