Walter Speed
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Walter Speed was born in 1898 in Basford and was the 19 year-old son of James a general labourer and Mary Speed née Hart , of 37 Springfield Street, New Basford, Nottingham. His father James was born in 1866 in Hickling, Nottinghamshire and his mother Mary Hart was born in 1865 in Keyworth. They were married in 1887 in Nottingham and went on to have 8 children, sadly two were to die in infancy or early childhood, their surviving children were Ada b1888 Nottingham, Alfred b1889 Nottingham, Abigail b1891 Basford, Lydia b1892 Basford, Walter b1898 Basford and James b1900 Basford. In the 1911 census the family are living at 33 Lambert Street, Hyson Green and are shown as James 45 yrs a general labourer he is living with his wife Mary 46 yrs and their children, Abigail 20 yrs a cigarette packer, Lydia 19 yrs a warp drawer, Walter 12 yrs a scholar and James 11 yrs a scholar.
Private Walter Speed, enlisted at Nottingham giving his residence as New Basford he initially served with service number 34239 in the Leicestershire Regiment later transferring to 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, he was killed in action on 31st July 1917. His name is commemorated on the Menin Gate,
His elder brother Alfred Speed - served using the name Alfred Turner ( Stated to be alias Speed in the register of his personal effects.) He served as a gunner service number 44864 in the 103 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, he was killed in action on 21st July 1916 his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. In memoriam published 31st July 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “SPEED. – In proud and loving memory of our dear sons, Walter, killed in action July 31st, 1917; Alfred, killed in action July 21st, 1916. – Sadly missed by mother, father, sisters, and brother Jim (R.A.F.).” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
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