Walter Slater
Lance Corporal 15346 - Grenadier Guards
Kings Company 1st Battalion
Killed in Action Flanders 29th October 1914 : Aged 21
Ypres Menin Gate Memorial - Panel 9 and 11.
Walter was born on 29 Jan 1893 at Ilkeston. A son amongst several children parented by James and Polly Slater whom, by 1911 Huthwaite census are found addressed at 26 Sutton Road. Walter began work as a coal miner, but with an imposing stature measuring 6' 1" and 135lb similar to all his brothers, he joined the Notts County force recognising a first class police constable. Furthermore, he'd begin Territorial Army training serving 8th Sherwood Foresters until nearing the age of 18½years. His Derby enlistment for the Grenadier Guards dated 8 July 1911 was initially a short service engagement. Posting afterwards into the Reservists could realise military ambition was being shared between close colleges, finding another local policeman named Joseph Cuckson followed same regimentally dated path into active service.
They heard the call for duty on 8 July 1914, both Guards being swiftly mobilized on 5 August 1914. A week later and Private Slater was appointed Lance Corporal 15346 promoting earlier held unpaid rank. Heading for France by 4th October 1914, their time on the Ypres battlefield did prove however, very short lived.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Confirming Identification.
Soldiers who died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 WALTER SLATER, Lance Corporal,15346,1st. Battalion Grenadier Guards. Born Ilkeston, Derby, enlisted Derby. Died 29th. October, 1914, Killed in Action, France and Flanders.
Notts County Council Employees who took part in the War WALTER SLATER date of birth 29th. January, 1893. Resided at 26, Sutton Road, Huthwaite. County Constabulary-Constable Grade 1. Reservist Private, Grenadier Guards. Sent to Western Front 4th. October, 1914. Killed in Action 29th. October, 1914, Ypres. Burial not known. 1914 Star.Rachel Farrand contributes knowledge adding sibling names identifying Herbert, Polly, John Thomas, Alice, George, Rose Ada, Sarah Ellen.
The other policeman and Grenadier Guard Joseph Cuckson suffered a gunshot wound to the left arm at Ypres some five days earlier. He was discharged on 17th May 1919 with partial paralysis of that hand.
Written 24 Jul 06 Revised 09 Feb 09 © by Gary Elliott