Private Walter William Clements

Born: 1st Quarter 1885

Date of Death: 9 April 1917

Age: 32

Walter William Clements was born in the first quarter of 1885 in Upavon to Frank and Louisa Clements. Louisa’s maiden name was Spreadbury. Frank, Walter’s father, was a farm labourer from Charlton, while Louisa was born in Rushall. Walter was the eldest of six children: four boys—Walter (b. 1885), Frederick (b. 1889), Maurice (b. 1892), and Reginald (b. 1897)—and two girls—Clara (b. 1889) and Edith (b. 1899).

Early Life In the 1891 Census, Walter is recorded as living with his parents in Upavon, along with his siblings Frederick and Clara. Both Walter and Frederick were attending school at the time, while their father, Frank, worked as an agricultural labourer.

By the 1901 Census, the family had grown with the addition of Maurice, Reginald, and Edith. They were still residing in Upavon, but by then, Walter and Frederick had followed in their father’s footsteps and were working as agricultural labourers.

By 1911, Walter had joined the army and was serving as a signaller in the 1st Wiltshire Regiment. At that time, he was stationed in South Africa, at Fort Napier in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, as noted in the National Archives. Meanwhile, his parents, Frank and Louisa, were still living in Upavon with Reginald and Edith.

On 25th November 1912, Walter’s father, Frank Clements, passed away.

Military Service At the outbreak of World War I, Walter was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment. The 2nd Battalion was part of the Gibraltar Garrison but was recalled to Britain and attached to the 21st Brigade, within the 7th Division. In October 1914, the battalion arrived in France, just in time to participate in the First Battle of Ypres, where it suffered significant casualties while halting the German advance.

In December 1915, the 21st Brigade was reassigned to the 30th Division. Over the next three years, the 2nd Wiltshire Regiment participated in major engagements on the Western Front, including the Battles of Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, Loos, Albert, Arras, and Third Ypres. By March 1918, the regiment was nearly decimated during the German Army’s Spring Offensive.

The Battle of Scarpe Walter was killed during the Battle of Scarpe, part of the Second Battle of Arras, a British offensive on the Western Front from 9th April to 16th May 1917. The British aimed to break through German defences near Arras. They achieved the longest advance since the start of trench warfare, surpassing the French Sixth Army’s record set in 1916. However, the advance soon slowed, and the German defence stabilized. The battle devolved into a costly stalemate, resulting in approximately 160,000 British casualties and 125,000 German casualties by its conclusion.

Walter William Clements gave his life during this offensive, contributing to one of the most significant battles of the war.

Private Walter William Clements died on 9^th April 1917 aged 32, and is buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France.