No.13899, Lance Sergeant, Walter David CORNWELL
Aged 32
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Walter Cornwell was born in Isleham in 1884 (Newmarket Q2-1884 3B:582), son of William and Anne CORNWELL (née COLLEN).
1891 census...Aged 7, he was at Waterside Drove, Isleham with his father William CORNWELL [44] a farmer; his mother Ann [36]; brothers William C C [11], Lewis [9] and Frederick S [3], and sisters Margaret J [5] and Esther M [6 months]. The whole family were born in Isleham. 1901 census...Aged 17, a market gardener's labourer, he was at Waterside, Isleham with his parents, brothers William (gardeners labourer), Lewis (market gardener's labourer) and Silas F (previously Frederick S.) and sisters Margaret J and Mildred E (previously Esther M.) There was one addition to the family, brother Arthur B [4], born in Isleham. 1911 census...Aged 27, a gardener's labourer, still single, he was with his parents and brothers Silas and Arthur Benjamin. All the men were involved in some way with gardening. In 1915 he married Mercy Mary DIVER [15-9-1886] (reg Newmarket Q2-1915 3B:1531)who, after Walter's death, was living at 21 Manchester Street, Cambridge. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. At this time the 8th Suffolks were brought up hurriedly, un-fed, no time for reconnaisance, to attack Delville Wood through Longueval. The line was advanced by 300 metres, but with very heavy casualties and on 20th they were consolidating the position. They were relieved on 21st. The 2nd Suffolks had 114 killed this day, 90 have no known grave. The 4th Suffolks also lost 34 killed and only five of them have an identified grave. |
photo: Vernon Place
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