Having tried unsuccessfully to enlist in 1914, Walter eventually joined up on 11 January 1915 and was quickly promoted to Lance Corporal in February. Sailing from Southampton on 9 May, he landed in France the following day.
Here he was seconded to the 1st Battalion and probably saw action at the Battles of Festubert (May) and Loos (September and October)
It seems that stature and teeth were no longer an issue.
In January 1915 W.D. volunteers with the 3RD London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), Territorial Force, being assigned to its newly formed 3RD (Reserve) Battalion for training as Private No. 3334.
ReplyDeleteWhilst in training with it in England he is promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in February 1915
He crosses the Channel to France on 9-5-1915 with a reinforcement draft to join the Corps' 1ST Battalion on the Western Front, joining it in the line on 12-5-1915.
In July 1915 he is promoted to the rank of Corporal.