Walter George Piper

An Able Seaman with Drake Battalion, Walter died on 21st of March 1918 at the age of 19. 

Walter was born at Lowestoft on 29 November 1899, a son of Walter and Emily Piper. In 1901 his family lived at Bishop’s Buildings, Mariners Street. By 1911 they were living at 1 Infirmary Court, Saint Margaret’s Plain.

Walter joined the Great Eastern Railway at Lowestoft on 19 July 1915. He was a cleaner, and later acting fireman.  

Walter attested for the Army on 25 October 1916 and was placed on the Army Reserve. He was called up on 16 April 1917, but instead of joining the Army he was enrolled in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He joined ‘A’ Reserve Battalion Royal Naval Division, at Blandford, on 17 April 1917. He was rated Able Seaman on 1 February 1918. Walter was drafted to France on 4 February 1918. He joined the Royal Naval Division Depot Battalion on 14 February and Drake Battalion on 20 February. Walter was a Lewis gunner. 

In mid-February 1918 the Royal Naval Division moved to positions on Flesquieres Ridge. On 6 March 1918 Drake Battalion were relieved by Hawke Battalion. The headquarters, A and B Companies, moved to Trescault Camp, and C and D Companies moved to Westwood Camp. On 12 March 1918 a heavy enemy gas bombardment took place all along Trescault Valley and continued for five hours. The headquarters, A and C Companies were all gassed. Twenty-one officers and 392 men were gassed. Walter suffered gas poisoning on 12 March and was evacuated to 16 General Hospital at Le Treport. A telegram sent from the hospital on 17 March said that he was dangerously ill. Walter died of wounds, gas, on 21 March.