Rank: Sapper 275511 Regiment: Royal Engineers 98th Light Rly. Train Crew Coy. Died: 31/12/1917 Parish: Budleigh Salterton Other Memorial: Alexandria-Chatby Military Cemetery [Google] PDF Download: MARTIN Walter Clarke
Walter is listed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as W Clarke, husband of Bessie Emma of West Hill Cottages Budleigh Salterton. Their marriage in 1916 in St Peter’s Church, Budleigh Salterton gives his name as Walter Clarke Martin, whose father was William Martin, Naval Pensioner deceased.
He also has a brother Richard David Martin who married in the town in 1919. Bessie was the daughter of William Bird Bolt and Lucy Smale. There was a daughter born to Walter and Bessie in 1918 named Violet Bessie, but no further information can be found of Bessie and Violet Bessie.
Walter served with the 98th Light Railway Train Crew Company of the Royal Engineers. The British began building and running light railways in 1917 to speed up supplies to the front line in various theatres of war. He is remembered at the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt.
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