Walter Harry Friston

A Private with 4th Bn., Walter died on 21st of August 1918 at the age of 18. 

Walter was born at Gorleston in 1899, a son of Harry and Sophia Ellen Friston. In 1901 his family lived at 12 Nile Road, Gorleston. By 1911 they were living at 6 Bells Marsh Road, Gorleston. Later they lived at 566 London Road, Lowestoft.

Walter enlisted in the Army at Ipswich. Initially he joined the 53rd Battalion Training Reserve, number TR/LON/136130. He was then transferred to the Royal Fusiliers and he served with the 4th Battalion in France from 14 July 1918. 

Describing the events of 21 August 1918 the Battalion War Diary has:

At 12.05 a.m. Battalion moved off to assembly position south of Ayette. Zero hour for attack was 4.55 a.m. - 99th Brigade attacked at zero and advanced a distance of approximately 2,000 yards. The 9th Brigade passed through the Blue Line and advanced to Achet le Grande - Arras Railway a distance of approximately 2,500 yards more. The 1st Northumberland Fusiliers attacked on right, the 13th Kings on the left and the Battalion in Brigade support. Owing to very heavy thick mist lost contact with the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers and advanced direct to railway objective, reaching it before the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers who came up later.

The Battalion's casualties for 21 August were: Officers three killed and six wounded; Other Ranks 25 killed, including Walter (number of Other Ranks wounded is not known).