Walter had been a Territorial soldier since 1909, joining the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1911 and serving in Malta for 5 years. He was transferred to France and served in 264 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery as a bombardier. He took part in the second battle of the Somme and the battle of Lys during 1918 before being wounded in the chest in June. He was in hospital recovering for some time, being discharged honourably with gunshot wounds from Dundee Hospital on 20 Jan 1919.
By 1939, Walter was living with his wife Flora and two children Brian and Jenny. As well as his work he was also in the ARP and an Auxiliary Fireman. Walter joined the Home Guard on its formation in Burley. His son Brian recalled that he and an evacuee living with him and were caught watching one of the training sessions, being told in no uncertain terms by a Regular to go away. He remembers his father giving him a replica rifle to play with and that it was very realistic. (This was perhaps a wooden training rifle that were exactly the same size and shape as the real thing).
In 1942 he joined Auxiliary Units. Brian remembered finding his father’s Thompson Sub Machine Gun hung behind the backdoor under his father’s coat.
Walter was a Burley Cricket Club Umpire, Burley Silver Prize Band and Carnival committee member.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burley Patrol | Patrol member | 08 Sep 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
Gardener
By 1951 he was living in Warnes Lane, Burley, Hampshire
TNA ref WO199/3391
1939 Register
Dennis Marchant