The War Diary entries for the time of Walter’s death are very brief.

“February 23: The Battalion relieved the 2/4th Royal Berkshires in the left sub-section of the Ablaincourt sector.

February 24: Most of the trenches being deep in mud or water, parties were engaged day and night in clearing up. All companies in the line sent out patrols at night.

February 25: 1 man killed and 1 wounded.”

Walter was most likely killed by a sniper as there was little or no artillery activity in his sector of the front line during this period.

Robin Marriott