Walter Hollingsworth Ostler was born 27 October 1890 at The Old Rectory, West Street, Dunstable, the son of Walter Ostler, a Plait Merchant and Adelina Patti Ostler (nee Hewett). He was a pupil at Dunstable Grammar School before becoming an Auctioneer.

Walter enlisted at Finsbury as Private 3923 in the 1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company on 23 June 1915. His Battalion was assigned to the 63rd (Naval) Division that landed in France in May 1916 and in November of that year he was involved in the Battle of The Ancre.

After a month or so respite they prepared for action again and the Battalion moved into the line on 5 February 1917, relieving the Hood and Drake Battalions in readiness for an attack to take the village of Grandcourt. At 11pm they attacked and by 12:50am all objectives were reached, 86 prisoners taken and all resistance was crushed.

At 2am Walter's 'B' Company went in again, and "cleared the Huns from the centre of Miramount Alley. The enemy made three paltry demonstrations on the front and flank but whatever they intended was very quickly tackled by rifle and Lewis gun fire".

Walter was one of 25 casualties that 'B' Company suffered in the action and subsequent artillery bombardment and his body was never recovered.

Robin Marriott