Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914

WALTER CHAMPNESS

15 July 1888 - 10 April 1918

At School 1900 - 1902

L/Cpl 358800 1/10th Kings Liverpool Regt

Walter was born in Sedbergh, Cumbria (then part of Yorkshire!) and in 1891 aged 2 was living at Joss Lane, Sedbergh, with father Alfred, a schoolteacher, mother Minnie, and one domestic servant. Walter's parents had been born in Manchester and in 1898 the family moved to 103 Stretford Road, Manchester, Alfred taking up the appointment of Sub Postmaster and Minnie assisting with the clerical work. In 1901 Alfred was at the School and seems to have been somewhat of an all-rounder, in work and sport, gaining a foundation Scholarship in his first year at School, winning a certificate for school work in the Classical 4th and being awarded the Optional Classes Spanish prize in 1902. He came 2nd in the U-14 High Jump and played for the successful U-14 football team. Later he played for the School 2nd XI.

In 1909 Walter married Elizabeth Sinclair and in 1911 they were living at 14 Braemar Road, Fallowfield, with daughters Margaret and Kathleen aged 1 and 6 months respectively. Walter was employed as a Shipping Merchant's clerk.

Walter's service records do not survive but from his service number it is likely that he joined the Battalion in the field in January or February 1917 in drafts of 210 other ranks.

At this time the Battalion was in the Ypres area alternating between the front line trenches and reserve. They stayed until September when they moved to the trenches near Epehy, north east of Peronne. In December they moved northwards to the Bethune area to undertake training and recuperation at Beaumetz les Aire, some 20

miles west of Bethune. In February 1918, the Battalion moved back into the front line to trenches north of the La Bassee Canal in the Givenchy Sector. At the beginning of March the Battalion was in support at Gorre and the Battalion War Diary states that "daily information was received that prisoners recently captured on Corps front reported an attack imminent on our sector. Ground observers reported unusual movement and activity. All Battns were warned to be keenly on alert, and code-word "BUSTLE" was initiated, and, on receipt of this code-word, units were to move to pre-arranged battle positions, in accordance with Defence Scheme."

On 7 March at 5.20 a.m. a heavy bombardment occurred on the front line sector and the Battalion stood to and moved to pre-allotted battle positions in the Tuning Fork locality (square 29 below). On the situation becoming quiet, the battalion returned to billets. The next few days were quiet, the Battalion providing working parties until their next stint in the front line on the 12th. From the 14th, enemy shelling became more aggressive, but only slight casualties were suffered until the Battalion was relieved on the 17th, proceeding to billets at Le Hamel (square 21 below) and Mesplaux Farm, which was slightly north of Le Hamel. The Battalion was now in reserve but remained on alert, although bathing and cleaning up was engaged in and 10% of each company were allowed on pass to Bethune. On the 20th the Commanding Officer inspected the Battalion and a successful concert was given by the Battalion Concert Party. The War Diary reported on the 21st "German offensive commenced on front of 3rd and 5th Armies." However during the next few days the Concert Party gave another two performances and a six a side football competition was commenced. All leave was stopped and students and staffs from Schools ordered to return.

On the 27th the Battalion enbussed for Annequin and moved into trenches south of the La Bassee Canal in the Cambrin area, however except for the shelling of back areas enemy artillery was relatively quiet. On 8th April the Battalion were relieved and returned to their billets at Le Hamel and Mesplaux Farm.

Lance-Corporal WALTER CHAMPNESS, Scottish Kings Liverpool Regiment, who was killed in action on April 10^th, was at the School from January, 1900, to December, 1902, on the classical side.

Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914 - 1919