Walter Henry Cater
Walter was born in 1895 at Ashford, Middlesex, the only child of John Cater and Lavinia Waite. In 1901 they lived in Chaucer Road, Ashford. John was a spirit merchant and hotel proprietor.
Walter and his mother lived at Belleville, Tunbridge Wells by 1911. The house is still one of the most prominent in the town, overlooking the Common. Lavinia was employed as housekeeper. Walter's father lived with his cousin Jane in London, working as a self-employed estate agent.
Walter appears on Tunbridge Wells war memorial. So why is he also on the St Ives War Memorial? At some point his parents moved to St Ives, living in Bridge Street. His father returned to the licensed trade, mentioned in the Hunts Post for 5 October 1917 as the new licensee of the Golden Lion Hotel in St Ives. Walter's parents clearly had aspirations for their son. He was educated at Ardingly College, a private school in Sussex with a strong tradition of training pupils for the Army.
Initially employed as a bank clerk, Walter enlisted as a Private in the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) in September 1914. His medical examination recorded him as almost six feet tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.
Initially employed as a bank clerk, Walter enlisted as a Private in the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) in September 1914. His medical examination recorded him as almost six feet tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.
Walter arrived in France in July 1915. He received medical attention for a bout of measles and scarlet fever at the end of 1915. Back in the field in early 1916, Walter applied for a commission, appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Sussex Regiment in September 1916. More medical attention followed when he contracted trench fever the following month.
Back in the trenches by August 1917, Walter survived the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the bloodiest episodes of WWI. He was appointed platoon commander.
Walter was awarded the Military Cross in May 1918 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, during an attack near Villers-Faucon. The citation in the London Gazette, 13 September 1918, read as follows.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his platoon was cut off from the remainder of his company, he held on until practically surrounded by the enemy, and fought his platoon out most skilfully with few casualties. He showed great courage and coolness.
The Military Cross is the third level military award (after the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Service Order) given to officers in recognition of acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against an enemy.
In June 1918, Walter received more medical attention. His injuries were not serious enough for transfer back to England and he was back in the trenches in a couple of weeks.
On 26 July 1918, Walter was near Le Quesnoy Farm, Cruoy, in charge of grenade throwing practice. Severely wounded by an accidental grenade explosion with wounds to his head, arm and leg, he was described as dangerously ill. Walter was transferred to hospital at Rouen on 10 August.
His parents received news that Walter was seriously wounded and lying in a hospital in France, as reported in the Hunts Post for 9 August 1918. They then received the following in a telegram dated 17 August 1918.
Deeply regret 2 Lt W H Cater Royal Sussex Regt died 11.45am August sixteenth. The Army Council express sympathy.
Walter died of his injuries on 16 August 1918, aged 23 years. He is buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France. It's not known if Walter's parents travelled to France to be with him.
A Court of Inquiry looked into the accident involving Walter and Private Herbert G Woolven, also injured in the exercise. It appears Walter was in charge of six men, each of whom had three grenades and were practising throwing them from a trench. Private Woolven stepped back and knocked a live grenade from the hand of one of the other men just as he was about to throw it.
Walter's father was to appear in the local court in St Ives in 1918 as the licensee of the Golden Lion Hotel. The charge was failing to keep a register under the Aliens Registration Act. Inspector Gale announced Mr Cater had asked for an adjournment, having just received news his son had died of wounds. The case was withdrawn on payment of costs, as reported on 23 August 1918.
Walter's father was to appear in the local court in St Ives in 1918 as the licensee of the Golden Lion Hotel. The charge was failing to keep a register under the Aliens Registration Act. Inspector Gale announced Mr Cater had asked for an adjournment, having just received news his son had died of wounds. The case was withdrawn on payment of costs, as reported on 23 August 1918.
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Attribution
Thank you to Ardingly College archives for contributing information on this article.
Source materials
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