(L to R) British War Medal; Allied Victory Medal; Edward VII Commemorative Coronation Medal, Mossley Corporation; George V Commemorative Coronation Medal, Mossley Corporation; Edward VIII Commemorative Coronation Medal, Mossley Corporation; George VI Commemorative Coronation Medal, Mossley Corporation
Walter was born in around 1890. We don't know anything about his early life or family.
Walter served in the Manchester Regiment during the First World War. He joined the 9th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment on the 10th December 1915. This was a Territorial Force unit based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.
After the war broke out in August 1914 the 9th Battalion was renamed the 1/9th. New recruits were used to form the 2/9th Battalion. From time to time men would be sent to replace casualties in the 1/9th Battalion. We don't know which unit Walter served with.
Soldiers serving with units of the Territorial Force were given new service numbers in around March 1917. Walters's became 352115. We don't know his old number. We don't believe Walter left the UK before the new service numbers were allocated.
The 1/9th and the 2/9th Battalions both served in France and Belgium from March 1917 until February 1918. At this time the 2 units were amalgamated into one, which was called the 9th Battalion. Unfortunately, because we don't know which unit Walter was a member of, we can't say for certain where he was stationed.
At some point during the war Walter was either wounded or fell ill. He was returned to the UK to recover. As time passed it became clear that he would never be fit enough to return to duty, so he was discharged as 'no longer physically fit for war service' on the 31st October 1918. Walter was awarded a Silver War Badge, with serial number B43523, to show that his discharge was honourable.
The four items alongside Walter's First World War medals are commemorative medals issued by the Town Corporation of Mossley, near Ashton. At this time it was on the border of Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. There is one each for the Coronations of Edward VII on the 9th August 1902, George V on the 22nd June 1911, and George VI on the 12th May 1937. The fourth medal was issued to mark the coronation of King Edward VIII. This was scheduled for the 12th May 1937, but never took place. Edward abdicated on the 11th December 1936.
These suggest that Walter was connected with Mossley as a child and into middle-age. Other than this, we don't know anything about him. His medals were donated to the Museum of the Manchester Regiment in July 2005.
