M/403359, Private, Royal Army Service Corps
Aged 38
formerly 20431, Private, York and Lancaster Regiment
Died of Illness on Friday, 27th June 1919
|
This man is on the memorial and St Mary's Church roll but not recognised by CWGC Walter Fordham ELSDON was born in Cowlinge (Risbridge Q3-1880 4A:524), son of Susan ELSDEN. 1881 census...Aged 9 months, he was at Burnt House, Cowlinge with his grandfather Joseph ELSDEN [61] farm labourer; his grandmother Elizabeth [61] and uncles William ELSDEN [23], James ELSDEN [18] and John ELSDEN [16] farm labourers, and Susan ELSDEN [28] unmarried, presumably his mother. All were born in Cowlinge. 1891 census...Aged 10 he was at Burnt House, Cowlinge with his grandparents Joseph and Elizabeth ELSDEN and uncle James ELSDEN [28] farm labourer. All were born in Cowlinge. 1901 census...Aged 20 he was at Field Terrace Road, Newmarket as a boarder, born Cowlinge, living with John ELSDEN [37] general labourer born Cowlinge and his wife Eliza [33]born Soham and their sons; George [9] born Rotherham, John [7], Frank [4] and Sidney [2] and daughter Violet [3 months] all 4 youngest were born in Exning. No relationship given, just 'boarder' but this appears to be his uncle John. Walter Fordham ELSDEN married Annie Hills MUSK in 1902 and their daughter Margaretta May was born in 1907. 1911 census... Walter Fordham ELSDEN [30] a chauffeur born Cowlinge was with his wife Annie and their daughter Margaretha [2] living with his mother in law Mrs Musk and her sister Hester Clark at 1 Albion Street, Newmarket. He died at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge 27th June 1919 from Ulcerative Endocarditis and ruptured aortic artery. [Newmarket 3b:517] His widow gave her address as 2 Grovner (sic) Place, Newmarket. His illness was presumably deemed of such a nature as to include him on the war memorial, but of course "Soldiers Died" would not record him and CWGC would not necessarily have been informed |
|
His occupation on the death certificate was Motor Driver, ex Army If the plaque in St Mary's Church is correct regarding service in the R.A.S.C. , this would tie in with his civilian occupation and the 'Royal' prefix indicates service in 1918. CWGC have no Walter Elsden listed who could be this man. The medal rolls have a Walter ELSDON originally with the Yorks & Lancs Regt #20431 and later with the A.S.C. #M/403359 who earned the 1914-15 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal and dying on 27th June 1919 As his death certificate gives no mention of military service causing or aggravating his illness, and his Army records have not been found, this precludes application for inclusion on the Book of Remembrance. |
Walter is buried in Newmarket Cemetery, possibly grave OG G:669
The burial register has NG G 659 which does not exist, his wife is recorded as buried in OG G 669