Walter Leslie Howard
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Walter Leslie was the son of Walter Hermann and Annie M. Haubitz (née Newham).Walter changed his surname from Haubitz to Howard on obtaining his commission in 7th Somerset Light Infantry in November 1914. His parents also changed their surname to Howard, and his father his second name to Howett', probably as a result of anti-German feeling. His parents held shares in the Great Western Railway and their change of name was recorded by the Company on 27 August 1914.His father Walter Herman was born in Warwick in 1868 (O/N/D Warwick), the son of John Haubitz (b. Germany), a shoe maker, and his wife Fanny (b. Leicestershire). In 1891 the family was living on Pym Street, Sneinton; Walter was a printer compositor.His mother Annie Maria was born in Nottingham in 1869 (A/M/J Nottingham), the daughter of William and Emma Newham who had at least six children. In 1891 Emma, a grocer and provision dealer, her daughter Annie (22) a grocer's assistant, and her son John (18) a sinker maker, were living on Manchester Street, Nottingham.Walter Herman and Annie Maria were married at Sneinton St Matthew on 18 September 1892 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had two children, Annie Maude b. 2 September 1893 bap. Nottingham St Andrew 24 September 1893 and Walter Leslie b. 20 April 1895 bap. St Andrew 26 May 1895.At the time Annie Maude was baptised her parents were living at 33 Conway Street but at 53 Conway Street in 1895 when Walter was baptised.However, in 1901 the family was living at 2 Regent Street, New Basford. Walter snr. was a letter press printer.The family had moved to 4 Regent Street by 1911; Walter snr was a commercial traveller (printing) and both his children were students.They later moved to London and were living at 33 Mayford Road, Wandsworth Common, London, when Walter Leslie died of wounds in 1917.Walter snr. died on 8 August 1930. He and his wife were still living at 33 Mayford Road, Wandsworth Common, but he was buried in Nottingham Church Cemetery on 14 August.Annie Maria may have returned to live in Nottingham after her husband's death and died here on 12 August 1953.Their daughter Annie Maude has not yet been traced after 1911.
Gazetted Lieutenant in 7th Somerset Light Infantry. Served in the Somme Battles with 48th Company, Machine Gun Corps.Walter Leslie Howard died of wounds in the battle of Langemarck 16th-18th August 1917. The 38th (Welsh) Division of which 176th Machine Gun Corps was a part supported 36th (Ulster) Division and 16th (Irish) Division.He ws buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. III.I.5).
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'In memory of a life well spent' CWGC: 'Son of Walter H. and Annie M. Howard, of 33, Mayford Rd., Wandsworth Common, London. Native of Nottingham. Scholar of Wadham, Oxford. Gazetted Lieut. in 7th Somerset Light Inf. Served in the Somme Battles with 48th Coy. M.G. Corps.'WMR 31991 Wadham College Oxford: Walter Leslie is commemorated on the College war memorial.Nottingham Evening Post, 23 August 1917: ‘The Roll of Honour. Last Night’s Casualty Lists … Died of Wounds. Lieut. WL Howard. Lieut WL Howard, MGC, only son of Mr and Mrs WH Howard, 33 Mayford-road, Wandsworth Common, SW (formerly of Nottingham), died of wounds on August (sic) 16th, aged 22 years. He won various scholarships and exhibitions at Nottingham High School, where he became captain of the school.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)'In memoriam' notice published 16th August 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HAUBITZ. – In proud and loving memory of Lieut. L. W. Howard Haubitz, who gave his life for his country August 16th, 1917. Uncle Will and family.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918Probate: Howard Walter Leslie of 33 Mayford-road Wandsworth Common Surrey lieutenant Machine Gun Corps died 16 August 1917 in France Administration London 6 November to Walter Howett Howard printer’s representative. Effects £140 18s 5d.Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, August 1930: 'Howard. On the 8th inst., at 33 Mayford-road Wandsworth Common, London, Walter H (-) formerly of Nottingham. Funeral Thursday (-) Church Cemetery, Nottingham.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
