| Date of birth: | 1893 |
| Place of birth: | Islington, London |
| Service No.: | 1279 |
| Rank: | Second Lieutenant |
| Regiment / Division: | Hampshire Regiment |
| Battalion: | 11th (formerly 7321 of the 28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists’s Rifles) |
| Died: | 22nd March 1918 aged 25 years old |
| Death location: | France |
Life before the war
Walter Henry Elkington was born in Islington, London in 1893, the son of Walter and Agnes Elkington. The 1901 census shows the family living in Hornsey, North London. Walter and Agnes had 5 children – Winifred, Walter, Cecil, Sidney and Albert. Walter senior was employed as a Boiler Insurance Agent.
By 1911 the family had moved to Bitterne Park, Southampton. Walter senior was still working in the same occupation as recorded in the 1901 census. In 1920 Wlater’s parents were living at Disa House, Polygon, Southampton.
Walter Henry Elkington qualified as an accountant after completing his studies.
Military Service
Walter enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery in August 1914 and was gazetted in 1916. He subsequently transferred to the 11th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment.
He was killed in action on 22nd March 1918 aged 25. He is remembered on Panel 48 of the Pozieres Memorial in the Somme, France. His sacrifice is also commemorated on the 1920 Roll of Honour.
The 11th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment was formed in Winchester in 1914. They first served in Ireland and subsequently transferred to France landing in Le Havre in December 1915. The battalion returned to England in June 1918.
The London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles) were all territorial forces and each battalion was a corps in its own right. The 28th Battalion was formed in Winchester in January 1915.
| Researcher: | Jan Thorn |
| Published.: | 21st March 2014 |
| Updated: | Insert dates here |
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