Military History

Walter is listed as being killed in action on 28th March 1918. The 7th Battalion war diary Report on Operations entry for that day is transcribed, in full, below.

At 3am enemy commenced shelling Arras Road and ridge M.36.a and c.

At 4-15 am enemy put a heavy barrage on our front and Reserve lines.

At 5-15 am barrage lifted from front line and enemy were seen close to our wire. They were held off by rifle and L.G. fire in spite of determined attempts to break through. A barrage of great intensity was again put on the front line and…

At 7-15 am enemy again attacked and forced an entry into the trench at the junction of the two front Coys and commenced to bomb this way downwards. The right Coy held him up for some time until the bombs gave out and then attempted to hold him by rifle fire but were forced back as far as the junction of the Reserve line and the front line. The survivors of Coy, about 25, then withdrew to the Reserve line. The left Coy, who had suffered heavily from the bombardment, formed a block in the trench and attempted to hold up the enemy but he worked his way in considerable numbers behind their flank and got behind them and they withdrew along the trench to the Sector held by 15th King’s. Again the enemy got round behind them and the survivors (about 15) together with the right Coy of the 15th King’s fought their way back to the Reserve line. During all this period the barrage was very intense on the Reserve line and in the vicinity of Battalion H.Q. Great determination and courage was shown by the Coy runners in carrying messages to Battalion H.Q. through very heavy artillery and M.G. fire.

The enemy then made determined attempts to advance on the Reserve line from our front line but was held up by rifle and L.G. fire. The right Support Coy, the Coy Commander had been killed earlier in the day, held on till 12 noon, when they found their right flank was exposed. As there seemed to be a likelihood of the enemy getting round their flanks they fell back on the survivors of the right front Coy to the Sunken Road about M.36.d.8.8. This exposed the left Support Coy, who fell back and took up a position along the Sunken Road M.36.b.5.7. At this point Battalion H.Q. of 7th K.S.L.I. and 1st R.S.F's was brought up into the line. Enemy M.G's were very active and caused several casualties.

About 1.45pm three enemy batteries were seen coming through HENIN and crossing over front line trench by the Henin-Mercadel Road but at too great a range to be affected by rifle or L.G. fire. No communication with Artillery was possible though attempts were made with flag signalling.

At 2 pm. as we were not in sufficient strength to counter attack and as we were out of touch with both flanks I gave the order to withdraw through the Green Line to Sunken Road in M.36.a. and to reorganise there. This withdrawal was carried out under cover of L.G. and M.G. fire. On arrival there the Battalion occupied the trenches running between M.34.b.7.1. and M.35.a.2.7. At 7-30 pm orders were issued to the Coys. to dig and occupy a line of Posts in the approx line M.29.b.1.9. to M.29.c.6.3. Tools not being available in time some existing Posts and trenches in this line were occupied and held until relieved by 22nd Bn. Canadian Infantry, on night 29/30th March. The front and Reserve lines were subjected during the earlier stages of the attack to a very intense bombardment, it speaks very highly of the morale of the men, that they put up such a strong resistance.

The front line trenches afforded very little cover from a systematic bombardment and the wire was negligible. All the officers and senior N.C.O's of the left Coy. and all but two of the right Coy. were killed or wounded. The Reserve Coys., particularly the left who were more than holding their own against the enemy until their flank was left exposed, withdrew in perfect order although suffering casualties from shell fire at the time.

The conduct of the last draft, boys of 19, was particularly praiseworthy and in spite of shelling, they did considerable execution with their rifles on the enemy as he attempted to advance on the Reserve line. Great difficulty was experienced in keeping the L.G. in action owing to their constantly being clogged with dust from exploding shells. It was necessary to clean them frequently.

Stretcher bearers displayed marked gallantry in carrying out their duties and evacuating casualties under heavy fire. Machine Guns and Field Artillery afforded invaluable assistance, a direct hit from the latter knocking out an enemy gun which was being brought into action through HENIN.

Casualties during the whole period:-

The large number of missing is due to the withdrawal from the front and Reserve lines and the impossibility of evacuating all casualties. Owing to the small number of survivors from the front line Coys. It has been difficult to obtain any definite information with regard to the missing men, but it is thought that all except possibly a very small minority were either killed or wounded.