Name
Walter Rance
16 Apr 1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/10/1918
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
265718
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TEZZE BRITISH CEMETERY
Plot 4. Row A. Grave 14.
Italy
Headstone Inscription
HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP PEACE PERFECT PEACE
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
Walter Rance was born in Tring on 16 Apr 1888(baptised 14 Jul1888 in Tring) to George Rance, labourer, and Eliza, straw plaiter, nee Adams).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, William, labourer born 1863), Sarah, (silk worker born 1870), Mary (born 1873), George (born 1875), Charles (silk worker born 1874), Alice (born 1881), and Walter were living at 15, Harrow Yard, Akeman Street, Tring.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, George & Charles (bricklayer’s labourers), and Walter (a farm boy) were living at 75, Akeman Street, Tring.
Walter’s mother died in 1901.
On the 1911 Census Walter, a bricklayer’s labourer was living with his father George, engine driver Grand Union Canal Co, with Frederick James & Alice(Walter’s sister) and family at 41 Charles Street, Tring.
Walter married Elsie A Rance in 1914, they would have 2 children : Walter John, born 23 Jan 1915 and William George born 20 Jul 1915.
Wartime Service
Walter was enlisted as a Territorial in Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment as Private T/265718. In 1916. No Service Record was found for Walter. At some time he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He went to France in 1916 to join 2nd Battalion as part of 91 Brigade 7 Division and may have taken part in the Battles of Arras, 3rd Ypres before being detailed to go to Italy to support the Italian Allies in Dec 1917. They repulsed an Austrian attack on 15-16 Jun as well as other smaller attacks until in October the division was positioned along the Piave river which was crossed on 23 Oct 1918. Walter was killed in action in the following the fighting which led to the Austrian Armistice.
From the Bucks Herald 16th November 1918: “Lance-Corpl. Walter Rance, Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment, resided at Unity Cottages, Albert Street, and joined the Army some two years ago. He served six months in France and twelve months in Italy. On Wednesday morning his wife received the sad news that her husband was killed by a shell in October last. His officer, in conveying his sympathy, described Corpl. Rance as a brave and cool man, and a splendid example to the gun team, which he commanded.
Rance was a member of the Tring Fire Brigade, and before joining up was employed by Messrs. J. Honour and Son [builders]. He leaves a widow and two young children.
From the Parish Magazine December 1918: “K.I. A. 30th October 1918, during the big offensive in Italy. He joined up two years ago and after his training, served for six months in France, where he was wounded and then for twelve months in Italy. In former days he was a member of the Y.M.C.A and in our Local Fire Brigade. His lieutenant writes: ‘It is with deepest sympathy and regret that I have to tell you, that your husband was killed in action on October 30th. A few minutes after we came in to action on that morning (about 10. a.m.) your husband was struck by a shell, while laying alongside me, and you will be comforted to know that he could have suffered no pain, as he died within a couple of minutes. Your husband was a very cool and brave man, and a splendid example to The Gun Team he commanded. He was a most willing and capable soldier, and a very popular with all who knew him, and his loss is keenly felt by us all, and especially by myself, who was his Platoon Officer. He died, upholding the best traditions of an Englishman and a Soldier.’”
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £11 and arrears of 10 3s was paid to his widow, who also received a pension of 25s 5d per week on behalf of herself and children.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
