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Walford John Watts

A Private with the 6th Battalion, Walford died on 10th of October 1917 at the age of 32.

Walford was born at Hanford, Norfolk, in 1885, a son of George and Susanna Watts. He was baptised at Hainford parish church on 19 April 1885. Walford's mother died, and his father remarried. By 1891 his family was living at Stokesby with Herringfleet, and by 1901 they were living at Thorpe next Haddiscoe and Walford worked as a stockman on a farm (possibly Hall Farm). Later his father and step-mother, Rachel, lived at Crossway Cottages, Blundeston. 

Walford was living at Bradford when he volunteered to join the Army. He served initially with the Army Service Corps, number M2/045765, and he was in France from 26 May 1915. Subsequently he was transferred to the Dorsetshire Regiment, and posted to the 6th Battalion.

On 9 October 1917 the 6th battalion left Prattle Camp and entrained at Proven en route to Elverdinghe and the Dublin Camp. On the night of 9 – 10 October enemy aeroplanes dropped bombs on Dublin Camp and the surrounding area. Two men were killed, and five others wounded.

Walford was one of the men killed in the air raid. 

Walford's half-brother George served with the Norfolk Regiment and died in 1918.

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Lived at

Walford Watts
Crossway Cottages
Blundeston
United Kingdom

52.5171009, 1.704144

CountryOfService
United Kingdom
BranchService
Army
Regiment
Dorsetshire Regiment
ServiceNumber
20143
Burial/Memorial
Belgium
CANADA FARM CEMETERY
III.A.37.

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