GURNEY Walter

Walter Gurney enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 14th December 1915 at Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  On his attestation paper he gave his date of birth as 26th February 1892 in Tylers Town, South Wales, his current address as 19 Simcoe Street, Toronto, his next of kin as his mother, Emily Gurney, Elm Cottage, Holt Heath, Worcestershire, England and his profession as a farm hand.  Walter was 5 feet 6¾ inches tall with brown eyes, black hair and a fresh complexion.

Walter sailed from Halifax, Canada on the S.S. Cameronia with his unit on 7th August 1916, arriving in Liverpool, England on the 18th August 1916 where he remained until he was posted overseas on 28th November 1916.  On 10th April 1917 he was admitted to No 2 Australian General Hospital, Wimereux, France with a slight gunshot wound to his face. Walter was discharged to a convalescent depot at Boulogne before rejoining his unit on 2nd July 1917.  He was reported wounded and missing on 6th November 1917, this was later amended to killed in action.

The Canada War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty) records the following information on Private Walter Gurney:
“Killed in Action”
Attack near Passchendaele

National Archives of Canada Reference: RG150, Accession 1992-93/166 Box 3891 €“ 37.

United Parish Magazine, Holt:
December 1917
We are sorry to record that two of our Holt lads, Walter Gurney and Charles Lewis, have fallen in battle.  Gurney is buried with his brother Canadians, who fell at Paschendale (spelling incorrect in magazine), but Lewis is believed to be killed, as he cannot be found, and the shelling was said to be terrific.  As James Lewis also is now counted as dead after long delay, a double blow has fallen on his parents.  Some day we must record on a tablet in the Church the names of those who have died for their King and Country.