Name
Walter James Seabrook
31/08/1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/09/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
L/40367
Royal Field Artillery
"A" Battery, 187th Brigade
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
Plot XXIV, Row C, Grave 11.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE R.I. P.
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey
Pre War
Walter James Seabrook, born on 31st August 1895, in Hemel Hempstead and baptised 13 October 1895 at Holy Trinity, Leverstock Green. He was the youngest son of William Seabrook a Stocker at the Gas Works, and Hannah Seabrook (nee Wilson), Walter was one of five children, two of whom died in childhood. Reginald (born 1894), Hannah (1897 – 1899), Elsie (1899 – 1903) and Florence (1902).
His parents married 7 August 1892 at Holy Trinity, Leverstock Green, Herts. William died 5 April 1936 in Watford aged 73, and was buried 9 April at St James’, Bushey, Herts; Hannah died 1939 in Watford aged 76, and was buried 24 April, also at St James.
He was baptised on 13th October 1895, at Holy Trinity Church, Leverstock Green, Herts.
1901 Census, aged 5, living with his parents, brother Reginald 6, and sister Elsie 2, at 44, Upper Paddock Road, New Bushey (Oxhey), Herts.
In 1911, Walter was fifteen and working as an errand boy living at home with his parents, brother Reginald 16, and sister Florence 9, at 44, Upper Paddock Road, Oxhey, Herts, and was later, like his older brother, employed as a baker.
Wartime Service
He enlisted at Watford, as a volunteer in the Army Service Corps on 21 November 1914, aged 19, he was 5’-7” tall and gave his occupation as a Baker. He was issued the service number 035540.
At his medical examination it was decided he would not make an efficient soldier and he was discharged on 16th December 1914. Not put off by this he travelled to Marylebone in London and enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery with the service number L/40367 reaching the rank of Corporal. Serving in France and Flanders, while with “A” Battery, 187th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Walter was wounded in action, and died of his wounds on 21st September 1917, aged 21.
There appears to be no medal card for Walter, but he would have been entitled to the Victory and British War medals.
He was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. He is commemorated on the memorial at St Matthew’s Church, Oxhey, Herts.
His brother Reginal also served and survived the war.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Walter in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 6 October 1917; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 21 September 1918 and 20 September 1919.
Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War.
His mother received a Dependants Pension of 8/- per week. The value of his effects were £12-7s-6d, Pay Owing and £10, War Gratuity which went to his mother Hannah. Son of William and Hannah Seabrook, of 44, Upper Rd., Oxhey, Watford, Herts.
Additional information provided with kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk), Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
