My Great Uncle Walter

[mikey1961]

This is a poem I wrote about my Great Uncle I would like to share with you.

Walter Mallandaine 280270 of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1/7th Bn. Killed in Action 9th October 1917.

My Great Uncle Walter

You left home one sunny day, to fight the Hun that’s what they say,
With your Salford pals on the great crusade, your parents though, they wished you’d stayed,
Their son was going off to war, with the First and Seventh of the East Lancs. Corp.
With his rifle, boots and mighty pack, god speed my son and hurry back.

They landed in France and on to Flanders field, but what did Jerry have concealed,
On those muddy plains where nothing grew, oh those poor boys, only if they knew.
At the break off dawn they heard the whistle sound, and now their hearts began to pound,
This is it boys, the officers said, for king and country and off they sped.

But they didn’t get far those Salford boys, for beyond the battle and the mighty noise,
They fell with their faces to the foe, their pain and anguish we’ll never know,
That’s all I know of my Great Uncle Walter, but like millions before him, he didn’t falter,
When his country called he didn’t delay, he left old Blighty and joined the fray.

The 9th October 1917 was the day he died, oh, how his parents must have cried,
Dead, in the mud, aged just twenty one, but did he get to fire his gun?
We found his grave some eighty years later, and thought of him lying there in some crater,
Cut to ribbons by the relentless fire, but now he’s at peace with a heavenly choir.

One of many, I’m sad to say, but they died for us and peace they say.
Great Uncle Walter you brought me to tears, god bless you and the Fusiliers.

Regards,

Mike

[Ben]

Hello & welcome Mickey
A really good poem and thanks for sharing it.

The CWGC has the address wrong link

Listed on the 1918 Salford South Absent voters Register



1911 census at 32 Smyrna St Weaste Salford
Walter John Mallandaine 46
Ann Mallandaine 49
Florence Mallandaine 19
Walter Mallandaine 14
Nellie Mallandaine 12
Harold Mallandaine 9
Percy Mallandaine

[shred]

Welcome Mike,

A fitting tribute to a true hero.

A hope that you have found the newspaper article posted by one of our members on another thread? Just in case here it is.



Walter is remembered on the St Luke's, Weaste, War Memorial (spelt "MALLANDINE") link

I know that the Salford reporter printed a small article about Walter on the 3rd of November 1917. I will try and get a copy posted in this thread for you soon.

Regards,

Garry

[Ben]

Your great uncle's uncle also served world war one.

1881 at 35 Bigland street, Salford.
Isaac Mallandaine 54
Caroline Mallandaine 35
Walter Mallandaine 16
William Mallandaine 14
Alfred Keene 14
Ellen P. Mallandaine 10
Sidney A. Mallandaine 8
Alexandra Mallandaine 6
Gertrude F. Mallandaine 4
Charles A. Mallandaine 6 month

Father Isaac died 1884 & mother Caroline remarried James Holden 1890

1891 at 20 Oxford street, Salford.
James Holden 36
Caroline Holden 43
William Keane 22
Sydney Mallandaine 19 Stepson
Alexander Mallandaine 16 Stepson
Gertrude Mallandaine 14 Stepdaughter
Charles Mallandaine 12 Stepson

1907 Charles Albert Mallandaine married Mary Bradshw 1907 Salford Register Office or Registrar Attended Salford

1911 at 273 West Park Street Salford
Charles Albert Mallandaine 30
May Mallandaine 30
Charles William Mallandaine 3
Stella Mallandaine 1
Albert Mallandaine 6 Months

1918 Absent Voters Register for Salford South Division


Ben

[Ben]

I also think your Walters & Charles father served in the army, but sadly my subs for Find My Past have run out to be 100% sure he is your family?
His birth year & place fit with your Isaac Mallandaine

[shred]

Article from the Salford Reporter.

[mikey1961]

Thanks for all the information. It's really appreciated.