Walter Holwell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Walter Holwell was born in 1885 at Orston and was the son of John a plaster mill labourer and Sarah Howell née Sharpe of 182 Barnby Gate Newark. His father was born in 1849 at Orston and his mother Sarah Sharpe was born in 1857 at Balderton, they were married in 1878 their marriage was recorded in the Bingham Registration District, they went on to have 8 children, sadly three died in infancy or early childhood, their surviving children were, ohn b1878 Orston, William b1882 Orston, Walter b1885 Orston, James b1891 Balderton and Gertrude b1896 Newark. In the 1911 census the family are living at 182 Barnby Gate, Newark and are shown as John 62 yrs plaster mill labourer, he is living with his wife Sarah 54 yrs and their children, John 33 yrs no occupation listed, William 29 yrs a mail driver for the post office, Walter 26 yrs a brewery labourer, James 20 yrs a moulder in an iron foundry and Girtie Holwell 15 yrs.
Private Walter Holwell enlisted on 1st September 1914 at Newark, he gave his age as 31 yrs and 284 days , his address was 182 Barmby Gate, Newark and his next of kin was his father John of the same address. He was posted to the 1st battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and landed in France on 11th November 1914. He developed a severe hernia and was returned to England on 4th January 1915 for treatment. He was admitted to the West Park Hospital, Ampthill, Bedfordshire and on 10th January he was operated on, he went on to develop pneumonia and at 01.10am 31st January 1915 he died at the hospital. He is buried in Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.
His brother Private James Holwell enlisted at Newark and served with the 1/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters, he landed in France on 28th June 1915. He was killed in action on 23rd April 1917, having n known grave his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Article published 10th February 1915 in the Newark Advertiser :- Son of John & Sarah Holwell, 182 Barnbygate. Employed at Messrs. Jas. Simpsons works, previously at Messrs. James Hole & Co. Brewery. Three weeks after war was declared, joined the 1st Lincolns and was drafted to the front on Nov. 5th. While in a bayonet charge at La Bassee, fell and was injured. Being invalided home suffering from this injury and frostbitten feet. He underwent an operation, but contracted pneumonia and died at Ampthill hospital. Brother James, died at Lens.
