No.8837, Private, Walter Ewart SIMMONDS
Aged 19
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Born in 1895 in Rougham son of Samuel and Ellen SIMMONDS (née )
1901 census...Aged 5, milk boy, he was at 12 Chapel Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents (father now stockman);brother Roland J (under gardener), William {12} milkboy, David J [8] born Cressing and George [1] born East Barton; sisters Annie [10] born Terlings and Charlotte [3] born East Barton 1911 census...Aged 15, a house boy, he was at 151 Cemetery Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents; brothers William (domestic groom), David (farm labourer) and George [10] born East Barton; sister Charlotte [13] born East Barton. His brother William died of as a prisoner in 1918 see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
The 2nd Suffolks were at Le Cateau during the retreat from Mons. Having reached Le Cateau the Suffolks received an order to stand and fight, which they did, despite being in the most unsuitable defensive position. They, and the Argyll Highlanders, fought for around nine hours before being overwhelmed by the Germans. No-one seems to admit to issuing the first order for them not to retreat, but their heroic endeavours held the Germans long enough for much of the British Division to escape. The battalion suffered over 720 casualties, killed,wounded or missing. CWGC records show that they had 74 killed on 26th, only 7 having known graves.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
