Name
Walter Frank Boultwood
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/05/1918
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sapper
97447
Royal Engineers
Railway Operating Division
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY
Plot V, Row B, Grave 51.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Christ Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Walter and Kate (nee Summerell) Boultwood of Watford.
His parents married 1892 in the Edmonton, Middx, district. Walter died 1936 in Watford aged 63, and was buried 7 May in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Kate died 1955 in Watford aged 83, and was buried 22 July, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
(Walter) Frank was born 17 May 1894 in Tottenham, London, and attended Dewhurst Endowed Boys’ School, Cheshunt, Herts, from 14 April 1902 to 9 March 1906. He resided in Watford and was employed as a fireman by the London and North Western Railway Company.
In 1901 they were living 10 Ashford Road, Tottenham, with their five children, and Lizbeth Summerell, a widow age 60, recorded as a Nurse – presumably Kate’s mother. Walter senior was a Mining Engine Driver.
In 1911 the family was at 7 Church Street, Rickmansworth with the youngest daughter, Rose, having been born there in 1907. Walter senior was now a Blacksmith, and Walter Frank a “Labourer for Mr Atkins”.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in London and was formerly Sapper WR252216 Royal Engineers.
The Railway Operating Division was formed in 1915 to take over railway operating duties from the French, whose railways were in dire straits, for the five armies. It performed three functions – the management of traffic; the provision of crews for locomotives; the repair of rolling stock and other items needed to keep the railways in operation. It was not involved in the construction and repair of railways – this was the work of railway construction units.
All that is known of Walter’s death is that he died of wounds. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Frank’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Mike Collins, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
