PHILPOTTS Walter Henry

Surname spelt Philpotts on Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Canadian Attestation Paper.

Appears in the Worcester/Worcestershire Roll of Honour Book for army casualties located in Worcester Cathedral.

Walter Philpotts enlisted as a Private in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 1st March 1915 at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  On his attestation paper he gave his date of birth as 24th April 1876 in Worcestershire, England, his occupation as a carpenter builder and his next of kin as his brother, George Philpotts of Droitwich, Worcestershire, England.  Walter was 5 feet 6½ inches tall with hazel eyes, dark brown hair and a fresh complexion.  On 18th May 1915 he was promoted to Corporal.  He sailed from Montreal, Canada to England on the SS Missanabie on 20th May 1915 (the ship was torpedoed later in the war on 9th September 1918, 50 miles off the coast of Ireland).  On 1st July Walter was promoted to Lance Sergeant whilst training at Lydd Camp, England. He was promoted to Sergeant on 15th September 1915 whilst at Otterpool Camp; two days later he embarked for France, disembarking in Boulogne on 18th September 1915. Walter was killed in action 6 months later on 15th March 1916.

National Archives of Canada Reference: RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7805 – 18

The Canada War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty) record the following information on Sergeant Walter Henry Philpotts:
“Killed in Action.”
Location of unit at time of casualty: Trenches South West of Wytschaete.

The Canada Commonwealth War Graves Registers record the following information on Sergeant Walter Henry Philpotts:
Killed in Action. 15.3.16. Burial report by G.R.C.:- Locre Churchyard Plot 1 Row E Grave 10. Next of Kin: Mrs E. Philpotts, 54 Ombersley St., Droitwich, Worcester

Probate 1917:
PHILLPOTS Walter Henry of 54 Ombersley-street Droitwich Worcestershire died 15 March 1916 in France killed in action Administration London 4 September to Elizabeth Phillpots widow. Effects £54.