GREEN, Walter Thomas


No.161057, Private, Walter Thomas GREEN
Aged 30


2nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Killed in Action on or since Tuesday, 6th November 1917


Walter Thomas GREEN was born in Barrow, Suffolk on 18th September 1887 (Thingoe Q3-1887 4A:678), son of Thomas Herbert and Susannah Esther GREEN (née BANKS).

1891 census...Aged 3, he was at No 17, south side of The Green, Barrow with his father Thomas H. GREEN [28] grocer/draper/baker, born Depden; his mother Susannah [31] born Hargrave; sister Mabel[6], brother Horace [4] and George [1]. All the children were born in Barrow.

1901 census...Aged 13, he was at 55 Fornham Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his uncle Richard L.Green [42] assurance agent born Depden; his grandmother Sarah GREEN [70] born Wickhambrook; aunt Eva Sarah GREEN [28] dressmaker, born Depden; brother Horace R.
His parents were at Green House Farm, Rede with his sister Mabel, brothers George Richard and William [8], sisters Alice May [6], Hilda Irene [3], children all born in Barrow,and an un-named sister ( Constance Nina) 1 week old born Rede.
Possibly he was with his uncle to enable attendance at East Anglian School.
Another brother,Thomas Bertrand was born in Rede in 1903.


1911 census...He has not been found in this census, but a W Green and uncle Samuel Barkham Banks sailed from Liverpool on 9th May 1907 for Canada. His parents were still at Green House Farm, Rede with his brothers George and William, working on the farm and Thomas; sisters Alice, Hilda and Constance.

According to Canadian records, his mother was at 56 Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds in 1922. He married Katie KAISER ( of German extraction) in Calgary in 1909, and a son, Walter Herbert was born in December 1909.(Canadian 1911 census)


He enlisted in Calgary on 22nd November 1915, initially in 82nd Battalion. His school connection confirmed by roll of honour but they have him in 39th Battalion, not 2nd.

He gave his date of birth, his occupation as bar tender,his wife as Katie of 922 Boulvard S.E., Calgary, later amended to 567-10 Avenue W, Vancouver. He was 5 feet 5 inches (165.1 cm) tall, chest 37" to 40" (94 to 101.6 cm), brown eyes, dark brown hair and had C of E as religion.

He sailed for Europe on 20th May 1916 from Halifax on the SS "Empress of Britain". He actually served in the 82nd, 89th, 97th, 39th, 6th Reserve and 12th Reserve battalions before ending up in the 2nd Battalion on 29th September 1917.

Posted missing, believed wounded, 6th November 1917 and later presumed died on or since that date.

The attack was against Passchendaele village. The war diary records:-
Morning of the Attack. 2nd Canadian Battalion was reported "All Ready" and in their positions in the Assembly Area at 3.30 a.m. ZERO hour was set at 6.00 a.m . the enemy commenced a heavy bombardment on the forward area, but owing to the troops being massed slightly forward of his barrage line, very few casualties resulted. Promptly at 6.00 a.m. our barrage opened and the attack launched. Very few seconds elapsed before the enemy opened a barrage on our back area and roads leading to the front line. Our 1st Objective was taken by 6.15 a.m. and in a message from Lieut. MacDonald, timed 7.35 a.m., our 2nd Objective was reported taken. Unconfirmed reports were received at different times that the Final Objective had been taken but this was finally confirmed by Runner at 9.30 a.m. Estimated casualties wired to Brigade - 300. Work on consolidating the position was carried out rapidly. At 4.45 p.m. our guns opened up a protective barrage and again at 6.00 p.m. The enemy did not attempt any counter-attack. There was considerable shelling by the enemy all night long mostly on back areas and on roads. Weather : Cold and misty.


By the end of the day the village of Passchendaele had been taken. The Canadians had over 700 die that day, 68 from the 2nd battalion of which 51 have no known grave.


Walter Green is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres, panels 10-18-26-28
also named on the war memorial of Culford School

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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