Private Walter George Bryan Bedfordshire Regiment
The Man Walter George Bryan, or George Walter was born during the third quarter of 1886 in Royal Leamington Spa, son of James a Gardener at a local nursery and Priscilla Jane nee Woodward. He was one of eight children, Sarah A born in 1884, Ethel 1885, Frederick 1887 – killed in action in France on 1st September 1918, William I 1889, Arthur 1892, Florence Amelia 1893 and Alice 1895.
The 1891 census shows Walter living with his family at 37 Court Street, Leamington Spa (now demolished) and by 1901, now aged 14 and shown as George W, the family were at 5 Eagle Street, Leamington and he working as a Printer’s Errand Boy.
By 1911 and shown as George Walter he was working in his mother’s hometown of Malvern at a large hotel. His job description was ‘Boots’, literally responsible for cleaning guests’ shoes.
He subsequently moved to Bedford area and at the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, aged 28, enlisted into the 6th Battalion Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment with service number 18238 as a Private. Walter entered France on 30th July 1915.
As part of the 6th Battalion Walter was involved in the Battle of the Somme with his Regiment suffering horrendous losses and following the Battle of Pozières (23 July – 3 September 1916) which took place around the village of Pozières, during the Battle of the Somme, the costly fighting ended with the British in possession of the plateau north and east of the village, in a position to menace the German bastion of Thiepval from the rear. Walter, however, was reported as wounded, missing, later dying of his wounds on 15th July 1916.
He was buried in Pozières British Cemetery, Ovillers-la Boisselle, France, Plot 111.F.21 and posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal. His age at death is incorrectly give as 20 years old on his headstone.
His brother Frederick, serving in the Royal Fusiliers was also killed in action on 1st September 1918. Walter’s name was recorded in the Luton WWI book of Remembrance and on the Royal Leamington Spa War Memorial. Together with Frederick.
The 1891 census shows Walter living with his family at 37 Court Street, Leamington Spa (now demolished) and by 1901, now aged 14 and shown as George W, the family were at 5 Eagle Street, Leamington and he working as a Printer’s Errand Boy.
By 1911 and shown as George Walter he was working in his mother’s hometown of Malvern at a large hotel. His job description was ‘Boots’, literally responsible for cleaning guests’ shoes.
He subsequently moved to Bedford area and at the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, aged 28, enlisted into the 6th Battalion Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment with service number 18238 as a Private. Walter entered France on 30th July 1915.
As part of the 6th Battalion Walter was involved in the Battle of the Somme with his Regiment suffering horrendous losses and following the Battle of Pozières (23 July – 3 September 1916) which took place around the village of Pozières, during the Battle of the Somme, the costly fighting ended with the British in possession of the plateau north and east of the village, in a position to menace the German bastion of Thiepval from the rear. Walter, however, was reported as wounded, missing, later dying of his wounds on 15th July 1916.
He was buried in Pozières British Cemetery, Ovillers-la Boisselle, France, Plot 111.F.21 and posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal. His age at death is incorrectly give as 20 years old on his headstone.
His brother Frederick, serving in the Royal Fusiliers was also killed in action on 1st September 1918. Walter’s name was recorded in the Luton WWI book of Remembrance and on the Royal Leamington Spa War Memorial. Together with Frederick.
Pozières British Cemetery, Ovillers-la Boisselle, France
Royal Leamington Spa War Memorial
This page last updated: 14 Feb 23