SJV Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Hello! I am trying to track down Walter Willdey Wallis. He was from Coleshill in Warwickshire, and is recorded on a WW1 Memorial to the fallen there. However, I can find no trace of him in the military records. I have found his death certificate, which indicates that he was a Staff Sergeant in the ASC when he died on the 9th June 1917 at 15 South Terrace, Penzance (aged 35). He is buried in Penzance Cemetery and has a private gravestone. He died from a diabetic coma so not directly related to his service, but as it was during the war and he appears to have still been serving with the ASC I am puzzled as to why I can find nothing else out. Any help very gratefully received! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 (edited) Hi SJV Puzzled! I can't find anything else for him either, no trace 1911 census ...yet Regards Barry Edited 6 January , 2017 by The Inspector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJV Posted 6 January , 2017 Author Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Thanks for looking Barry. It's such a mystery!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 (edited) Hi His birth cert is 3rd qtr 1882 Solihull, 6d,537 Walter WILLDAY Wallis........looking Regards Barry Who registered his death? Edited 6 January , 2017 by The Inspector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark1959 Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 (edited) 1891 census aged 9. Oldest of 8 children! Living in Wishaw. Edit not the one in Scotland. In Warwicks Edited 6 January , 2017 by Mark1959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Hi Mark 2 trees on Ancestry but no further info on Walter. Regards Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJV Posted 6 January , 2017 Author Share Posted 6 January , 2017 5 minutes ago, The Inspector said: Hi His birth cert is 3rd qtr 1882 Solihull, 6d,537 Walter WILLDAY Wallis........looking Regards Barry Who registered his death? His death was registered by his father W Wallis, who was in attendance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark1959 Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Probate in July 1917 seems to have been to his Dad. Suspicion would be no overseas service and lost records. Does not explain lack of other records Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJV Posted 6 January , 2017 Author Share Posted 6 January , 2017 If only I could track a bit more down I think he may be an IFCP case... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 (edited) Hi His brother Stephen Baron Wallis signed up in Canada in 1915...looking..prev 6mths CFA Regards Barry His brother Thomas also signed up 1915 in Canada, prev 8 mths Colonial Light Horse, S.A. Edited 6 January , 2017 by The Inspector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark1959 Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Family appears in 1901 at Coleshill. Stephen is there but Walter is not. In 1911 the mother and father are in Penzance with just one child left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJV Posted 6 January , 2017 Author Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Ooooh.... the plot thickens! I wonder what took them to Canada? Thank you for all your searching so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 (edited) Hi Brother Montague Osborne Wallis, b.1886 was 6489 Hussars of the Line, service started 1905, Chelsea Pensioner, d.1.11.1933, Mental Hosp, Hatton, Warwickshire. A family of soldiers so I can't see why Walter wouldn't have served abroad! Regards Barry Brother, Joseph b.1889 became a Master in Merchant Navy. Father Walter died 3.1.1941 probate to youngest son Frederick...an accountant. Edited 6 January , 2017 by The Inspector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 He is not recorded in Soldiers Effects indicating that he was serving when he died (assuming he was serving under his own name) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 And if you put date of death and ASC into Geoffs Search Engine http://www.hut-six.co.uk/cgi-bin/sxH4H.php?value=1&pageno=1 it would appear that he was not serving under an alias Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Hi Sister Winifred Mary Wallis, m Rankin. Married 1913 Manitoba and died in Canada 1967. Regards Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJV Posted 6 January , 2017 Author Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Wow! What an interesting family! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Hi Suggest next step obituary in local newspaper? Regards Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJV Posted 6 January , 2017 Author Share Posted 6 January , 2017 That's a good idea. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Hi He was buried at St.Marys, Penzance on the 14th June, 1917. Regard Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJV Posted 6 January , 2017 Author Share Posted 6 January , 2017 (edited) Got a hit for a newspaper article: Cornishman, Thursday 21 June 1917. The mortal remains of the late Mr Walter Willdey Wallis, of No. 15, South Terrace, were laid to rest in the borough cemetery on Thursday afternoon, the Rev. Canon Young officiating. The first portion of the service was taken in St Mary’s Church. The mourners were Mr Walter Wallis (father), Mr Montague Osbourne Wallis (brother) and Capt. Rd. Chiffers. The casket was of panelled English elm, the plate of which bore the inscription: “Walter W. Wallis, died June 9th, 1917, aged 35 years.” Very beautiful floral tributes were laid on the casket, as follows: “In loving sympathy,” from Mrs E Harris; “With deepest sympathy,” from Mr and Mrs Herbert Taylor; “With sympathy,” from all at 27, North Parade; “In ever loving memory of my darling boy,” from his devoted girl; “In loving memory of our dear friend,” from Reginald and Florence Squires; “With deepest sympathy,” from Mr and Mrs Pengelly, The Minney. The hearse and carriages were supplied by Mr E W Trythall, and Mr William Inch was the undertaker. Edited 7 January , 2017 by SJV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 6 January , 2017 Share Posted 6 January , 2017 Hi Getting there!!! Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJV Posted 7 January , 2017 Author Share Posted 7 January , 2017 I've added the full details of his funeral (see above) but still no clues! I'm not sure if much can be deduced from the fact he is referred to as 'Mr' rather than his military rank??? I've tried the London Gazette and also Nat Archives military records prior to the war... nothing! Argh!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJV Posted 7 January , 2017 Author Share Posted 7 January , 2017 Is anyone in Penzance? I wonder if he is on this memorial: https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/233367/ Any help very gratefully received! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 8 January , 2017 Share Posted 8 January , 2017 Hi SJV He is NOT on the Penzance War Memorial (209 names) Regards Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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