Name
Walter Henry England
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Walter England was one of three brothers from Abbots Langley that served in the Great War. He was born in Watford in the summer of 1890. His parents David and Sarah England had nine children, four sons and five daughters. David’s first wife, Elizabeth had died in 1902, having given birth to seven of the children, including Walter. David worked as a Gardener, and in the 1911 Census the family was recorded living at 62 Adrian Road, Abbots Langley. At the same time Walter was serving in Bermuda and Jamaica as a Private in the British Army, with the Bedfordshire Regiment.
At the outbreak of War in August 1914 the 1st Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment was mobilised at Mullingar in Ireland. The battalion embarked at 2am on the morning of 15th August at Belfast and sailed on the SS “Oronsa”, arriving at Le Harve later that night. The Bedfordshire’s then progressed to Mons where they fought in the defence of the town on 23rd August. It is not known if Walter was serving with the 1st Battalion during this period.
The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour recorded Walter in its first list in September 1914, and showed him serving with the Bedfordshire’s. By February 1915 he was listed as serving with the 1st Battalion, which at the time was based in the area around Wulvergem, to the south of Ypres.
In June 1915 the Parish Magazine noted that Walter was reported wounded and missing, and no news had been heard from him for two months, but no updates were given in the following or subsequent months and it must be assumed that he recovered and was in contact again with those at home.
In November 1917 he was once again reported sick/wounded in the Parish Magazine, but again no further information was recorded in the following months to indicate the outcome.
Walter served with the Bedfordshire’s throughout the War. The battalion was constantly in action and serving in the front line.
Walter England survived the War, as did his brother Harold. However his other brother, Charles was killed in action close to Hill 60 near Ypres on 27th April 1915.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
