Walter Wigg

A Private with 7th Bn. Walter died on 22nd of August 1918 at the age of 34. 

Walter was born at Leiston, Suffolk, in 1884, a son of James and Hannah Wigg. In 1891 his family lived at Snape Road and in 1901 their address was 1 Snape Road, Leiston, and Walter was a boiler maker's labourer. In 1911 his family were living at 32 Paradise Place, Leiston, and Walter was a bricklayer's labourer.

Walter was working as a labourer, for Mr. A. Gibbs, of Leiston, and was living at Leiston, when he enlisted in the Suffolk Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia), at Ipswich, on 7 June 1904. He served until July 1905. 

On 24 June 1914 Walter married Emma Marjoram at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. Walter was working as a barman and Emma a widow. They both gave their address as The Elephant and Castle, Church Road. By 1915 they were living at 14 Saint Margaret's Plain, and Walter worked as a stonemason. 

Walter enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. Initially he served with the Army Service Corps, service number T.4/088610, and served in France with No 4 Company 29th Divisional Train. He was then transferred to the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, service number 61524, before being transferred to The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and joining the 7th Battalion.

On 22 August 1918 the 7th Battalion followed the 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment to clear the town of Albert. The 7th Battalion War Diary records that by 4 p.m. the Battalion had suffered heavy casualties. 

Official records indicate that no one was sure what had happened to Walter and the Army Register of Soldiers' Effects states that he was 'killed in action or died of wounds.' 

Note the Commonwealth War Graves website states that he had served with the Royal Army Medical Corps. This supposition is based on Graves Registration Report Form that suggests he had a former service number D-86610 and that he died on 22 August 1918. There is no evidence, in any official military record, of these facts being correct.