Walter John Culham

A Seaman Cook with H.M.S. Europa, Walter died on 4th of June 1940 at the age of 39. 

Walter was born at Lowestoft on 9 May 1901, a son of James Alfred and Georgina Culham. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church on 15 March 1903 (the same day as his brother James) and his family lived at 65 Seago Street and this was still their address in 1911 and 1921. The 1921 Census states that Walter was 'in the Army.'

Walter enlisted in the Royal Horse Artillery, at Norwich, on 12 March 1919, service number 257791, later 1036796. Prior to this he had worked as a horseman. Walter served in Mesopotamia in 1920 and was awarded the Army General Service Medal with clasp Iraq. He was discharged, on compassionate grounds, on 5 November 1921. 

In 1923 Walter married Frances Rhoda Brady at Lowestoft. In 1939 Walter, Frances, and children, were living at 32 Notley Road, Lowestoft. 

Walter died at the Isolation Hospital, Lowestoft, from acute bronchitis, congestive cardiac failure and broncho-pneumonia.  

Walter's brother James served in the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1940.