Walter Harry Waters

A Civilian, Walter died on 12th of May 1943 at the age of 74. 

Walter was born at Fordham, Colchester, Essex, on 6 August 1868, and is believed to have been the son of George and Emma Waters.

On 25 December 1889 Walter married Emma Jane Charlish at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. Walter was a mariner living at Saint Margaret's Road and Emma lived at 152 High Street. In 1901 they lived at 38 Melbourne Road and Walter was a trawling master. In 1911 they lived at 68 Queens Road and Walter was a master mariner. 

In 1910 Walter was awarded his certificate of competency as a skipper. On 17 November 1914 he became a Temporary Skipper with the Royal Naval Reserve. He served on the trawler Margate until 1917. Walter was advanced to Chief Skipper on 30 June 1917. Walter was Mentioned in Despatches for his work with the Auxiliary Patrol and minesweeping between 1 January and 30 June 1918 (London Gazette 5 October 1918). In 1917 he served on the trawler Louise Botha and in 1918 on the Isaac Heath. 

In 1919 Walter was engaged in mine clearance work and from April to November he served on H.M.S. City of Perth. He was demobilised on 20 November 1919.

In 1921 Walter and Emma lived at 73 Beresford Road, and Walter was a yacht skipper working for G. Hazel of Thorpe, Norwich. 

In 1939 they lived at 63 Beresford Road and Walter was a yacht skipper. On 1 September 1939 Walter applied to rejoin the Royal Naval Reserve, but was rejected as 'over-age'. 

During World War Two, Walter became a firewatcher. He died at Ayers Fish Stores, Whapload Road, during the 'Focke-Wulf Raid'. 

Walter's son, Ernest, served in the Royal Navy and died in 1917.