Huthwaite WW One Memorial

Walter Slater

Lance Corporal 15346 - Grenadier Guards
Kings Company 1st Battalion

Mobilised: 4th August 1914

Killed in Action Flanders 29th October 1914 : Aged 21

Ypres Menin Gate Memorial - Panel 9 and 11.

Huthwaite Online WW1 Remembrance

Lance Corporal 15346 Walter Slater was born 29th January 1893 at Ilkeston. Parents Duffield marriage 28 March 1885 between Belper coal miner Mr James Slater and Miss Polly Fokes from Staffordshire starts a family before settling into 26 Sutton Road, Huthwaite by 1901. James continues heading larger 1911 household aged 49. Mrs Polly Slater 48, had mothered Herbert 1887 White Moor Hall, Polly 1889 B Winning, John Thomas 1891 and Walter 1893 in Cotmanhay all in Derbyshire. All sons aim to hew coals beyond Huthwaite births then ageing Alice 16, George 15, Rose Ada 11, Sarah Ellen 10, Annie Mary 5, and Harold 3.

Mr Walter Slater was last listed an 18 year old coal hewer who'd also shared all his brothers relatively larger size measuring 6' 1" and 135lb. But nearing age 18½ years, Walter decided to join the army. Enlistment on 8th July 1911 may recognise inferred short service with the Sherwood Foresters 8th Territorials Battalion. Completing a required three years placed him into the Army Reserves on 8th July 1914, whereupon his imposing stature favoured joining the Nottinghamshire Constabulary recognising a 1st Class Police Constable. A potential future career was however cut short when Pc Slater was called up needing reservists.

Private 15346 Walter Slater shared same 1st Grenadier Guards posting alongside local colleague Pc Joseph Cuckson. Both are swiftly mobilised 4th August 1914. Soldiering experience appointed acting rank Lance Corporal Slater, adding paid promotion landed in France 4th October 1914. His pal was wounded among the Flanders battlefields, where Walter went missing five days later. Delaying official confirmation over a year accepted Walter Slater had been killed in action 29th October 1914, aged 21.

Walter Slater is listed on 1919 Shire Hall Memorial in remembrance for this Nottingham policeman among other County Council employees lost through the Great War. Huthwaite roll of honour was assured, without need to add any his four serving brothers.

Mansfield Advertiser 4th February 1916

HUTHWAITE GUARDSMAN KILLED IN ACTION

Corporal Walter Slater, of the Grenadier Guards, whose home was at Huthwaite, has been among the “wounded and missing” for over a year; but his parents have now been officially notified that he was killed in October, 1914. The deceased soldier was 22 years old, and was one of five brothers with the Colours; one of whom gained the D.C.M. all the five averaged over six feet in height.

Notts Free Press 4th February 1916

Mr. And Mrs J Slater of Sutton Road have been informed from the Record Office (London) that their son, Corporal Walter Slater, 15346, Grenadier Guards, who has been reported as “wounded and Missing” since October, 1914, must be regarded as having been killed between October 26th and November 2nd , 1914 (probably October 29th) Corporal Slater was one of five brothers with the forces on land or sea. He was 22 years old, and had only been home six weeks after serving three years in the Grenadiers when he was called up. His photo will appear next week.

Notts Free Press – 11th February 1916

HUTHWAITE SOLDIER’S DEATH - ONE OF FIVE SOLDIER BROTHERS

The photograph is that of Corporal Slater, 15346, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, of Huthwaite whose death was reported in our last issue. Deceased, who is one of the five soldier sons of Mr and Mrs James Slater, Sutton Road, Huthwaite, was reported as both wounded and missing since November, 1914, and has now been reported as killed. He was 22 years of age.
The other brothers are King’s Corporal J.W. Slater, D.C.M., 8313, R.A.M.C., aged 33, married with five children, who has been in France over a year. Private H. Slater, R.M.L.I., who spent eight months in the Dandanelles until invalided home with dysentery. He is 28 years of age and married, with one child. He is now on the “Dominion” Sergeant J.T. Slater, who is 25 years of age and married, with one child, is with 1-8 Sherwood Foresters(T.F.) in France. He gained his stripes at the front. Private G Slater, 2289, is with the 1-8 Sherwood Foresters, and is 20 years of age. He was wounded in France in August last. The average height of the brothers is over six feet.