Pte Walter Ormerod - 8th Bn, East Lancashire Regiment

[Paul Ormerod]

Remembering Walter Ormerod (Private 29126 - 8th Bn, East Lancashire Regiment), who died on 2 January 1917, and is buried in St Venant Communal Cemetery, France.

The Commonwealth Debt of Honour Register records that Walter was the husband of Mrs W. Ormerod, of Hall Carr Cottages, Rawtenstall - though the Army Register of Soldiers' Effects records that his effects were left to his widow, Alice A. Ormerod.

The Debt of Honour Register records that Walter was 38 years old at the time of his death.

His death was reported in the Rossendale Free Press on 13 January 1917, which noted his residence as Hall Farm Cottages, Rawtenstall.

Walter's name is commemorated on the Rawtenstall War Memorial.

At the time of Walter's death, 8th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment were part of 112th Brigade in 37th Division.

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database records that Walter was born and enlisted in the Army in Rawtenstall. The Database simply notes that Walter "died" on 2 January 1917.

Prior to Walter's death the 8th Bn, East Lancashire Regiment, had been in the line in the Festubert Left Sub Sector.

On 23 December 1916 the Battalion had relieved the 1st Bn, Royal West Kent Regiment, and they remained in the line until 28 December 1916, when they were relieved in turn by the 11th Bn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and proceeded to billets in Le Touret.

During their tour in the trenches the Battalion War Diary records:

"Enemy moderately quiet slight Minenwerfer activity casualties 2 OR killed 1 officer wounded 9 OR wounded."

Edited 2 January , 2017 by Paul Ormerod

[ATNOMIS]

His Number indicates Conscription - Military Service Act - 25th May 1916. Looks like Sept 16 on joining. Age of Death 38.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 13 June , 2018 by ATNOMIS

[ss002d6252]

The war gratuity which was paid indicates 12 months or less service at the time of death.

I would suspect he was part of a batch mobilized on 21 Aug 1916

#29118 was allocated 21 Aug 1916
#29132 was allocated 21 Aug 1916
#29141 was allocated 21 Aug 1916

Craig

[TullochArd]

"Walter's name is commemorated on the Rawtenstall War Memorial."  ......... and also commemorated on the Haslingden Road United Methodist War Memorial  (14 fatalities) and Rawtenstall Liberal Club Roll of Honour (3 fatalities / 68 served and returned).

 

 

The Rossendale Free Press 13th Jan 1917 tells us more and supports ATNOMIS and ss002d6252's observations on enlistment dates: It reads:

 

"Official intimation has been received of the death in the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station, France of Pte. Walter Ormerod, of the East Lancashire Regiment, and was well known in Rawtenstall. A letter from the nurse in charge of the clearing station states the Pte. Ormerod was admitted to the hospital on January 1st and was then in a "poor way." The following morning however, he rallied, and hopes were entertained the he might be well enough to be removed to England. During the afternoon, however, he had a sudden relapse and passed peacefully away, death due to bronchitis. His remains were interred in the village cemetery by the chaplain.

 

Pte. Ormerod, who was 38 years of age, formerly resided at Hall Carr Farm Cottages, Rawtenstall and was employed as a weaver at Hall Carr Mill. It was only in September last that he joined up and he was drafted to France on December 11th . He had, therefore only been at the front three weeks, when he fell ill and died.

Deceased was a man of kindly disposition, and will be missed by all who knew him. He was a respected member of the Rawtenstall Liberal Club and was at one time on the committee. In his earlier days he was a regular attender at Haslingden Road United Methodist Church. The deep sympathy of all will g out to a widow and three young children who left to mourn his loss."

[ATNOMIS]

Thank you.