Name
Walter Cowell
6/02/1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/02/1917
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
36285
Royal Berkshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 11 D.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing on the Somme, France.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Church of St Mary the Virgin Memorial Cheshunt, Not listed on the Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Walter Cowell was born at Shudy Camps, Cambridgeshire, on 6th February 1880, son of George Cowell an, Agricultural Worker and Mary Ann Cowell (nee Ager). The eldest of eight children.
1881 Census records the family as “Cole”, Walter aged one, is living with his parents at, Street Cottage, Shudy Camps, Cambs.
1891 Census records Walter (10), at School, living with his parents, and five siblings in, Mill Green, Shudy Camps, Cambs.
1901 Census Walter (21), is working as a Labourer at a Garden Nursery and Boarding with Frederick and Emily Cayford in, Brookfield Lane, Cheshunt, Herts.
Walter Married Emily Yarrien (nee Harvey) on 2nd August 1902, in Cheshunt, Herts.
1911 Census records Walter married to Emily, he has a stepson Charlie Yarrien (13) and a daughter Emily Mary Ann Cowell (4), and they are living at, 1 Ethelbert Cottages, Cadmore Lane, Cheshunt, Herts.
Wartime Service
Walter travelled to the County Town of Hertford to enlist in the Hertfordshire Regiment. His service number 5239 indicates he enlisted between June & July 1915. He was later transferred to Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire Regiment) with the service number36285.
Seeing action on the Western Front. He was killed in Action on 17th February 1917, aged 37, during the Actions of Miraumont (17th – 18th February 1917). He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing on the Somme, France.
Additional Information
Emily received a widow’s pension of 20/- a week from 15th October 1917, and Walter’s effects of £2-17s-00d, Pay Owing and his War Gratuity of £7-10s-00d. CWGC have Emily's address as 2 Padmole Lane, Cheshunt, the correct address is 2 Cadmore Lane, Cheshunt.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
