Name
Walter Gunnis Spurr
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/08/1916
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
16678
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ENGLEBELMER COMMUNAL CEMETERY
I. D. 6.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Stained Glass Window, Hitchin Boys Grammar School, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Walter was born on 1891 in Hitchin and christened on 1 Jul 1891 in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin, Herts. His parents were George Edmondson and Ethel Mary Spurr and (née Cropper), they were married in 1885.
His father was from Piddletrenthide, Dorset and his wife from Derby. He became involved in a large linen drapers Hitchin when he went into partnership with Mr Perry between 1886 and 1890. The premises were at 14 Market Place, initially it was known as Perry & Spur, but in 1899 it became known as George Spurr Ltd. And the family lived in rooms on the premises.
In 1891 ,before the birth of Walter, the family were both parents: George (32) and Ethel (31), the census recorded George as a draper, milliner, and dressmaker. Their children were: Hilda Mary (5), Dorothy (3), Barbara (2), Anthony George (1) and Walter Gunnis at 2 months. Also present in the census were nine boarders connected with the business or domestic servants.
In 1901, both parents were still present – George now described as a draper, clothier and employer working from home. Their children included all those listed above plus Percy W (6), Douglas B (5), Richard K (1). Also present were three domestic servants and seems no workers were now boarding.
He was attending Hitchin Grammar School by the Spring of 1904 and was in the Upper 4th Form and left in the Winter Term of 1906 whilst in the Lower 6th Form.
By 1910 George Spurr had bought number 15, a much larger shop, and his shop became a much larger department store that almost stretched the length of one side of the Market Place.
By 1911 the family had moved out of the shop and were living in Wymondley Road, Hitchin. Both parents were there, George now recorded as a draper and clothier dealer. The census recorded they had been married for 26 years with 10 children, of whom 1 had died. Six of their children were still present including Douglas at 15 working as an auctioneer’s clerk. Two other brothers who also died were absent Walter (20) was and Anthony (21).
He worked for his father in his department store in the old Market Place in Hitchin. He had volunteered into Kitchener's New Army in Westminster by the 19th September 1914.
Officially Douglas was recorded as born and living in Hitchin and enlisting in Westminster, Middx.
Wartime Service
Walter was given the Regimental Number 16678 as a Private in the Bedfordshire Regiment. Later he was appointed Corporal and arrived in France on the 30th August 1915 with the rest of the Battalion.
He was in the 8th Battalion of the Bedfords which was in the 16th Brigade of the 6th Division when killed in action in France. On the 22nd August 1916 the Battalion furnished working parties under Corps Signals with six officers and three hundred men from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm in the vicinity of Beausart. An exploding shell killed him. The casualties for the day were two killed, two wounded and one missing.
He was buried in Plot I, Row D, Grave 6 in the Englebelmer Communal Cemetery in France.
Additional Information
After his death £2 17s 4d pay owing was authorised to go to his father on 28 February 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £10 was authorised to be paid to him on 7 September 1919.
Walter was the last of three sons to be killed, two of his elder brothers died; Anthony George on 9 May 1915 and Douglas Bateman spur was killed 10 March 1915.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
