Thank you to Patricia Brazier for the following research.
Walter was born on 25th June 1886 in Merton. His parents were William and Sarah. William was a farmer, born in Ashtead Surrey.
In the 1881 census Walter’s parents are living at Swyncombe Farm in Oxfordshire. Walter has five older siblings; William and Albert born in Leatherhead, George F born in Malden, Thomas J and Mary born in Oxfordshire.
In the 1891 census the family are living at Bailiffs Cottage in Givons Grove, Leatherhead. Walter is at School.
The 1901 census finds the family at Bakers Farm in Farnham Rural Buckinghamshire. William, Walter’s father, is a farmer. Walter is a labourer on the farm.
In 1911 Walter is still a farm labourer but now in Holyport in Buckinghamshire. He is living with his older brother Thomas.
Sometime after 1911 Walter emigrated to Canada and enlisted into the 44th Battalion of Manitoba Regiment on 22nd March 1916. This regiment became part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. At this time he was living in Curpar, Saskatchewan, his occupation being a farmer.
Walter died on 11th May 1917 at Vimy Ridge during the Battle of Arras. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France and the Vimy Ridge memorial in Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Canada.
His brothers Albert, Thomas and Ernest served in the Army and his brother Frank served in the Navy. They all survived the War. His brother George served in the London Regiment and died in March 1917.
His father William lived in Spring Cottages Holmwood until his death in 1938. He is buried in St. Mary’s churchyard in South Holmwood.
| Born | Merton, London | |
| Son of | William and Sarah Mole | |
| Regiment | 44th Battalion. Manitoba Regiment of the Canadian Expeditionary Force | |
| Number | 234440 | |
| Date of Death | 11th May 1917 | |
| Place of Death | Vimy, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 30 | |
| Memorial | Vimy Memorial, Vimy, France |
