Walter Lager
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Walter Lager was born in 1887 at Mansfield, he was the son of the late John Richard Lager an iron foundry fettler and Sarah Ellen Lager née Baxter of 15 Radford Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, John Richard was born in 1854 at Mansfield he died in 1919 aged 65 yrs Sarah Ellen Baxter was born in 1855 also at Mansfield, they were married in 1875 at Mansfield and went on to have 11 children, sadly two were to die in infancy or early childhood. In the 1911 census the family were living at 15 Radford Street, Mansfield, John Richard is 57 yrs an iron foundry fettler, he is living with his wife Sarah 56 yrs and 6 of their children including Walter 24 yrs a house painter. Walter married Evelyn Heta Wright (born 16th April 1892) on 7th September 1912 at Bolsover they went on to have 2 children, Kitty born 5th December 1912 and Audrey Marion born 27th October 1914, they lived at 213 Langwith Road, Hillstown, Bolsover he was working at Bolsover Colliery when he enlisted. Commencing 15th November 1915 his widow was awarded a pension of 18 shillings and 6 pence a week.
Private Walter Lager enlisted on 19th January 1912 at Chesterfield, giving his age as 25 yrs and 5 months, he was a decorator, he was posted to the 1/6th battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment, he landed in France on 28th February 1915. He was killed in action on 5th May 1915 and is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Items Returned: stamps, pocket book, pipe, penknife, scissors, letters writing pad and photographs. Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 13/05/1915 printed a letter Walter had written to his brother Frank on 1st May, a few days before his death. "Dear brother and Sister, Your letter to hand, it was a very nice parcel, and I am sure you must have been thinking about me, it is the very best parcel yet. I hope you and yours are in the very best of health and the very best of luck. I hope the children are in the best of health, as I am at present, and I hope to remain so through the war. I have seen Fred and he looks in the pink of health. I am pleased to see him look so well, and I hope he gets through this great war. When you see mother you might tell her I am all right and tell her not to trouble about us as I think we shall get through with a bit of good luck. from brother Walter. His brother Fred did survive the war.
