Name
Walter Smith
16/04/1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/10/1914
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
6452
Gloucestershire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 22 and 34.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the Fallen, Ypres, Belgium.
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, British Schools Museum Memorial, Hitchin, St Ippolyts Village Memorial, St Ippolyts Church Roll of Honour, Not on the Great Offley Village memorials
Pre War
Walter was born on the 16th April 1885, in Offley, Herts. The son of William Smith a Police Constable and Ellen Smith. He was Baptised on the 27th September 1885, in Offley, Herts. One of 13 children.
The 1891 Census records Walter aged 5, at school and living with his parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters in The Cottage, Main Street, Offley, Herts. The 1901 Census records Walter aged 15, living with his parents, 2 brothers and 4 sisters in Walkern, Herts. His occupation is given as a Baker of Bread. The 1911 Census records Walter, Married to Caroline Louisa Smith and they have a 5 day old baby daughter, living at 3 St Ippolyts, Nr Hitchin, Herts. His occupation is given as a Brewery Drayman. Walter and Caroline had two daughters, Violet B 1911 and Elaine B 1913.
Wartime Service
Walter was in the 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment with the service number 6452. He disembarked with his Battalion in Le Havre, France, on the 13th August 1914. Walter was Killed in Action on the 29th October 1914, at the Battle of Gheluvelt, Flanders. (29th -31st October 1914).
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, to the fallen.
Additional Information
Caroline received a widows pension of 18/6 a week from 20 September 1915, increased to 21/- a week from 24 November 1915, and his effects of £8-6s-2d, Pay Owing and a War Gratuity of £5.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Adrian Pitts, Stuart Osborne
