Name
Walter Andrew Spiller
26/10/1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/10/1914
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
8023
Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 19.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial to the missing.
UK & Other Memorials
London Colney War Memorial, Napsbury Mental Hospital and Staff Memorial London Colney
Pre War
Walter Andrew SPILLER was born in Blackfriars, Surrey/London, on 26th October 1886, son of George Henry Spiller a Policeman and Isabella Ingles Spiller (nee Black). One of their nine children. George and Isabella married in June 1882, at the Church of St Andrew and St Philip, Kensal Green, Kensington and Chelsea, London.
He was Baptised on 21st November 1886, at Christ Church, in the Parish of St Saviours, Southwark, London.
1891 Census records Walter aged 4, living with parents, four brothers, George (8), Arthur (6), Harry (2) and John (1 Month) at 111 Sayer Street, Newington, London.
1901 Census records Walter aged 14, employed as a Junior Clerk, living with his parents and eight brothers at 4 Ludgate Circus, St Bride, City of London. His brother Charles died in 1903, aged 9.
We believe Walter served for a short time in the Militia with the service number 7177, before enlisted we believe at Dover, Kent, on 20th July 1904, for 3 years, with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve, posted to the Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment) joining at the Halifax Depot on 23rd July 1904, issued with the service number 8023. In September 1905, he extended his service to 8 years with the Colours. Serving at home until December 1906, when he was sent to India with the 1st Battalion.
1911 Census records Walter aged 25, single, a Private with the 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment) stationed in Ambala, India. His parents, and six brothers are living in Ludgate Hill, City of London.
Walter returned to the UK in February 1912, discharged and posted to the Reserve on 19th April 1912, after completing 10 years and 108 Days with the Colours. He was awarded the Delhi Durbar Medal for his service in India.
At the outbreak of war, Walter was a member of Staff at Napsbury Mental Hospital, London Colney, Herts.
Wartime Service
Walter was mobilized for war service on 5th August 1914, returning to his old Regiment. He landed at Le Havre, France, with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington (West Riding Regiment) on 13th August 1914. They were soon in action at Le Cateau, the Retreat from Mons, were they suffered 360 casualties. Then seeing action at the Battle of the Marne, the Aisne and at the First Battle of Ypres. Walter was Killed in Action on 25th October 1914, aged 27, believed to be in the Festubert area.
He has no known grave, he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France. Panel 19.
Additional Information
His effects of £7-10s-10d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £5, went to his mother Isabella Spiller.
All his brothers served in the Great War except Cecil who was too young to serve.
Brother, 6368 then 392684 L/Cp. Herbert Septimus Spiller, of the London Regiment (Queen Victorias Rifles) died on 16th August 1917, aged 22.
Brother 9698 then 31684 Pioneer Arthur Charles Harold Spiller of the Royal Engineers died on 8th January 1920, aged 35.
His father George served in the Royal Navy from January 1873 to September 1880, before joining the City of London Police.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
