Soldier Record

Walter was the son of William and Maria Wetherill, he was born on 30th April, 1895. Walter was baptised at Caythorpe St Vincents Church on 30th June, 1895. He was only ten years old when his mother Maria died. Walter was working on the railway when war broke out and he soon joined the 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment and saw active service in France. In August 1918 Walter was in Ireland awaiting his return to France. He wrote a letter home to his father and stepmother. Walter was injured fighting on The Somme and died on September 8th 1918. He is buried in Dernancourt Communial Cemetery, France.

We are expecting to go to France any day now for some more. But it is no use being downhearted....

The letter he had written was found on his body in France and returned to his parents. It reads like this:

12th August, 1918

Dear Father and Mother

I now take the pleasure in writing these few lines to you hoping they find you in good health as it leaves me at the present time. I have landed back in Ireland quite safe once more and we are at a place called Ballincollig Camp and a warm place too! Its like being at Byards Leap we cannot see wood for the trees it is a hole! But for all that its better than being in France I can stick it as long as they let me because theres no shells flying about here and no wiss-bangs and theres a nights sleep for us that's more than we get in France sometimes. I have often thought about father waving the white handkerchief when I was leaving Frieston it seemed to cheer me up a bit you know. We are expecting to go to france any day now for some more. But its no use being downhearted because I have always gone with a good heart yet that's the stuff to give them keep your pecker up what do you say look on the bright side. Well cheer up while I see you again if I am lucky and God spares me. Remember me to all. So I think I have told you all this time from your son Walter Wetherill

My address

Pte W. Wetherill 43005

E Company

3rd Lincs Regiment

Ballincollig Camp

Cork

Ireland

Remember me to your son Joe and also Sue and give my best respects to them.

O will you please send me the Caythorpe Parson's address because I forgot to ask him for it because he told me to write to him. And I don't know his proper address.