FRENCH Walter Henry

What we know about FRENCH Walter Henry

Born in Budleigh Salterton, Walter lived with his parents Edwin Archibald French and Melina (Litten) in High Street and later in Knowle. His mother Melina was buried in St Peter’s Cemetery, Moor Lane, in December 1936 and Edwin Archibald died in Honiton district in 1953.

Walter served in the Army Cyclist Corps. Some cyclist battalions saw action in France and Belgium, and were used for reconnaissance and communications work, as well as infantry support.

Private French had three brothers who were too young to enter the war and lived in the area until their deaths, and younger sister Hilda married a Percy Stuart and died in 1977. Walter is remembered on the War Memorial and the brass plaque in St Peter’s Church, and on the Tyne Cot Memorial, the largest British war cemetery in the world, in Belgium.

W. French, Pte, Wessex Divisional Cyclists Company is listed under 'Serving at Home' on the Budleigh Salterton Roll of Honour.

Medals awarded

Victory Medal (1914-19)

British War Medal (1914-1920)

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