Name
Walter Herbert Berry
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/03/1918
35 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
29818
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Battalion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY
X. D. 8.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Headstone Inscription.
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield
Pre War
Walter Herbert Berry was born in Hatfield, Herts, in 1885, son of William John Berry (B1860 in Hatfield) and Emma Berry (nee Smart) (B 1858 in Hatfield). One of 9 children 1 of whom died.
1891 Census records Walter aged 6, at school, living with his parents, brother Edward 7, sisters Caroline 4 and Ada 2, in Newtown Cottages, Hatfield. His father worked as a railway carriage cleaner.
By 1901 now aged 16, Walter had left school and was working as a Garden Labourer. Living with his parents, 3 brothers and 3 sisters, in St Albans Road, Newtown, Hatfield. His father was still working as a railway carriage cleaner.
Walter Married Bessie Arnold of Sandridge, Herts. The daughter of George Arnold. In Sandridge on 23rd January 1910. They went on to have two children Ronald Arthur and Doris Ivy.
By 1911 Walter and to Bessie were living in Pond Hill, Hatfield, with Walter working as a General Labourer
Officially recorded as born in Hatfield and living there when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
Walter enlisted in Bedford, posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment with the Service No. 29818.
He joined in June 1916 and in the same year was drafted to France, where he took part in numerous engagements.
Walter was wounded in action at St Quentin during the retreat from the German Spring Offensive and died of his wounds on 21st March 1918, in No 44, Casualty Clearing Station. He is buried in the CWGC Nine Elms British Cemetery in Belgium.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of July 1916 in the 23rd List of Men Mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Berry, Walter – Newtown – 10th Beds Regt.” then in April 1918 the Parish Magazine recorded: “The first casualty which has been announced in Hatfield as coming from the gigantic struggle before St Quentin is the death of Walter Berry of Newtown. We feel that in a struggle so tremendous we shall endure further losses, but this life as the first fruits of the battle has been freely and willingly given for his Country, and has formed part of the impenetrable barrier which hitherto so nobly warded off the foe.”
The Herts. Advertiser of 13th April 1918 recorded: “Private W H Berry
Mrs W H Berry has received news from France that her husband, Private Walter Herbert Berry, was dangerously wounded and a letter from the matron of the hospital followed to say that he died on March 21st from wounds in the lungs and side. Private Berry was the second son of Mr W J Berry, newsagent, of Newtown, Hatfield, and joined the Beds Regt in June 1916. He was invalided home with trench fever and rheumatism and again with wounds in his shoulder and knee. He returned to France on Jan 1st this year. Deceased leaves a widow and two young children.”
Additional Information
His effects of £1-13s-6d, Pay Owing and £8, War Gratuity went to his Widow Bessie.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk), Jill Lilley
