Walter George Littlewood

A Lance Corporal with 2/1st Bucks Bn. Walter died on 22nd of August 1917 at the age of 18. 

Walter was born at Keswick, Norwich on 31 July 1898, a son of Robert Herbert and Catherine Ann Littlewood. He was baptised at Saint Andrew's Church, Eaton, Norwich, on 31 August 1898 and his family lived at Keswick. In 1901 his family were living at Bell Road, Carlton Colville, and by 1911 they were living at Ingate Lodge Cottage, Cotmer Road, Oulton Broad.

Walter volunteered to join the Army and he enlisted at Lowestoft. He served initially with the Suffolk Regiment, number 1504; possibly with the 2/6th Battalion. Later he was transferred to the 2/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, number 5365 and later 267120.

The 2/1st battalion landed in France on 24 May 1916 as part of the 184th Brigade in the 61st Division. The battalion had their first experience in the trenches at Faquissart on 11 June 1916 and the battalion suffered its first casualties almost immediately. 

On 22 August 1917 the 2/1st Bucks Battalion attacked positions in the vicinity of Wieltje during the battle for Langemarck. The objective was the Kansas Cross - Winnipeg Road, which included seven German strongpoints, notably Aisne Farm and Somme Farm. The bombardment commenced at 4.45 am, the infantry advancing closely behind the barrage. After heavy fighting Somme Farm and Aisne Farm were captured but the Aisne Farm was recaptured by the Germans. Some of the Battalion reached their objectives but were cut off and had to take shelter in shell holes. Artillery fire was used deal with the German counter-attacks and the Battalion was relieved on the night of the 23/24 August.

The Battalion went into the attack with 13 officers and 637 men. During the attack 11 officers and 338 men became casualties. Walter was killed during this attack.