Name
Walter George Offord
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/08/1918
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
36091
East Surrey Regiment
1st/21st Bn. posted to London Regiment (First Surr
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Panel 6.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Royston Town War Memorial
Pre War
Walter George Offord was born in 1883, the son of George & Mary Offord of Chapel Road, Rayleigh, Essex.
He married Annie Isabel CARD on the 15th January 1906 in Reigate, Surrey, and their daughter, Edna Audrey was born on the 4th November 1906.
The couple ran the White Hart Public House in Royston, and also operated a Fishmongers business, along with Walter’s younger brother, Alan.
Wartime Service
Walter joined the Army on the 11th December 1915 at Hitchin, at which time he was 34 years-old. He was posted to the East Surrey Regiment and then to London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles).
He requested a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps on the 14th January 1917 as a Motor Cyclist and joined the service as a 3rd Class Airman with the Service Number 54169. However, Walter was later compulsory transferred to the Army due to the exigencies of the service and was initially posted to the 112th Training Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. A short time later, on the 12th July 1917, he was posted to the 1st/21st London Regiment and was sent overseas on the 30th September 1917, joining his unit in the field on the 2nd November of that year. By the 25th May 1918, he had been appointed as an Unpaid Lance Corporal.
Walter was reported Missing on the 24th August 1918 when the Battalion were in action in the area around the village of Bray-Sur Somme, where the 47th (London) Division made a successful assault on German positions North-East of a location known as Happy Valley. Despite their success, the 17th Division, who were on their left, failed to capture an enemy strongpoint, which resulted in heavy casualties for the 21st London’s, including Walter Offord.
Additional Information
On the 19th November 1918, Walter’s wife wrote to the War Office in an effort to gain more information regarding his loss. Her letter reads;
Dear Sir,
I should be glad if, when you return the certificates, if you could give me any further information re my husband L/Cpl W.G.Offord. Is it asking too much in asking whether the whole Lewis gun team were reported missing or simply my husband. If possible, will you inform me where my husband was helping to defend on August 24th when reported missing. As the war is practically over I do not think I am asking questions I ought not. I know it is possible he is a prisoner. Awaiting the favour of a reply. I am,
Yours truly
A.I. Offord
There is a biography for Walter George Offord and his brother Alan William Offord who survived, written by Alan Cecil - Alan Offord’s grandson, in the HAW Archive, see Walter George Offord.
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson, Alan Cecil
