Walter Cecil Randall

1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). Previously served with the Territorial Force. Walter enlisted at Retford. He served with the Battalion's Lewis Gun Section and was killed in action in France on 12 September 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France (Panel 87 to 89). CWGC - History of the Loos Memorial (extract): The Memorial forms the sides and back of Dud Corner Cemetery which is about 1km from the village of Loos-en-Gohelle. 'Dud Corner Cemetery stands almost on the site of a German strong point, the Lens Road Redoubt, captured by the 15th (Scottish) Division on the first day of the battle. The name "Dud Corner" is believed to be due to the large number of unexploded enemy shells found in the neighbourhood after the Armistice. The Loos Memorial commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay, from the first day of the Battle of Loos to the end of the war.' (www.cwgc.org)

Walter's brother, Harry Randall (1839 Private, 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters), was killed in Belgium on 24 April 1915. He is buried in Kemmel British Military Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Retford Times, 28 Sept 1917: 'Pte Walter Randall' 'As intimated last week, Pte Walter Randall, Sherwood Foresters Lewis Gun Section was killed in action on the night of 12th inst. He was the second son of Mr and Mrs E Randall, 1 Beardsall Row, Retford, grandson of the late Sergt H Brown, Osborne Vaults (who served in the old Retford Volunteer Corps for half a century) and nephew of Sergt A Brown, Ordsall whose death was recorded a fortnight ago. Pte Walter Randall, who was in his 21st year was a month ago on leave of absence with Pte George West, Thrumpton Lane; and Pte Clark and returned to France on Aug 21st. It will be recalled that the deceased’s brother, Pte Harry Randall, made the great sacrifice over two years ago, and another brother George has recently joined the colours. Pte George West in a letter to the bereaved parents says:- “I hope you will try and bear the sad news as well as you can. Your son’s death made me very ill as we were such big pals. I cannot tell exactly how it happened but I know he felt no pain. A large number made the great sacrifice including Parkin from Hayton, Darwin from Clayworth, Billy Bell, Ordsall, who had his legs blown off and was still alive when he was carried out of the trenches. We have lost one of the best lads in the Battalion in Walter, who was liked by everyone who knew him. He was always willing to do anything set before him. Much sympathy is felt by all the Retford lads with you in your great loss of your dear son.” Other letters have been received from Pte Clark who states:- “I have lost one of my best pals when I lost Walter; Pte A N Scott (in a London hospital) who refers to the deceased as a good, straightforward and honest soldier and says that the loss of his great friend “is another example of fine young life lost in endeavour to uphold righteousness and national honour.” “Your son was a good soldier and will be greatly missed by everyone in his company; he was cheerful under all circumstances and a general favourite where ever he went” writes Lieut Elly [see below]. Like his brothers, Pte W Randall joined the Retford Territorials when 17 years of age. He was an old National School boy and was in the employ of Mr W Motteshed, Carolgate, and in the loco department of the Great Northern Railway. Mr and Mrs Randall have received a large number of letters of sympathy.' Note: Second Lieutenant Cyril John Elly, 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters, died on 6 September 1918 aged 24. Buried Pernes British Cemetery, France. He was the son of John William and Elizabeth Alice Elly, of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. (CWGC). Research by Colin Dannatt