Name
Walter Edward Element
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/08/1916
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/11285
Duke of Cambridge’s Own Middlesex Regiment
13th Bn
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 12D and 13B
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Croxley Green Village Memorial,
All Saints' Church Shrine, Croxley Green,
John Dickinson & Co Memorial, Croxley Mills, Croxley Green,
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial
Pre War
Walter was born in Croxley Green in 1896 and his parents were Henry and Eliza Element.
In 1911 his father was a boot maker and the large family (11 children) lived at 119 New Road. Walter helped in the business and also worked at Croxley Mills.
When he attested on 10 November 1915 at the age of 19 years and 1 month he gave his occupation as a mill hand at John Dickinson & Co and also is listed on the Dickinson memorial. His cousin, Sidney, was also killed.
Recorded as enlisting in Watford on 15 Nov 1915.
Wartime Service
Private Walter Element joined 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment in France, on 2 June 1916 after training in England.
He was killed in action at Delville Wood, during the Battle of the Somme, on 18 August 1916 in trenches at Arrow Head Copse. The battalion (73rd Brigade, 24th Division) took part in an attack towards Guillemont that day. At 2.45pm the battalion attacked Guillemont trenches but was held up just outside them by machine-guns from a strong-point on the right. They were then shelled while lying in the open. Walter was killed by a shell while carrying machine gun ammunition.
He was initially reported missing and was not officially presumed killed until July 1917. Walter was 19 years and 11 months old when he died.
Additional Information
Probably cousin of Private Sidney Albert Element also of Croxley Green who was killed in action on 24 Apr 1918 and is also commemorated on this memorial.
Acknowledgments
Tanya Britton, Brian Thomson Croxley Green in the First World War Rickmansworth Historical Society 2014
