No. 550711, Sapper, Walter BRUNNING
Aged 40
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Walter was born in 10th June 1876 in Wangford (Mildenhall Q3-1876 4A:559), son of Thomas & Harriett BRUNNING (née SAYER)
1881 census...Aged 4, Walter was living in The Street, Eriswell, with his father Thomas [42] a shepherd born Icklingham, his mother Harriett [35] born Great Yarmouth; sister Rose [12]; brother Thomas [10]; sisters Mary [7] and Frances [2], all born in Wangford,and brother Daniel [2 months] born in Eriswell. 1891 census...Aged 14, a shepherd's help, he was still living at 1 The Street, Eriswell with his parents (Mother now recorded as born Lowestoft), sister Fanny [12] brother Dan [10]. 1901 census...Aged 23, a bricklayer, Walter was a boarder with William and Elizabeth Bone at 237 Queen's Road, Hackney. His parents were at 9 The Street, Eriswell no children were with them. He married Tottenham born Ethel Annie WELCH [29-1-1879] in 1903 in Camberwell 1911 census...Aged 34, a bricklayer, he was living at 2 Boundary Road, Colliers Wood, Merton SW with his wife Ethel and three daughters, Ethel Dorothy [3], Elise Frances [3] and Josephine [1] all recorded as born in Mitcham. His parents were still at 9 The Street, Eriswell. It is recorded that one of their 7 children had died. Ethel's address to CWGC after Walter's death was 5 Norman Road, Sth Wimbledon |
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He enlisted in London. The Engineers being employed with many different units, it is next to impossible say exactly where he was killed. The likelihood however is that he was involved in mining. The 520th Field Coy. were involved in the Battle of Messines and Hill 60 action. The mines were exploded the day after Walter's death. Walter was the only Royal Engineer killed in Belgium that day. |
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