2773 Private Walter Charles Cracknell
1st/8th Battalion Duke of Cambridge's Own
(Middlesex) Regiment
25th April 1915
Born on 01/07/1896. His parents were Charles Cracknell (08/07/1868-21/02/1942) and
Amelia Caroline Gigg (13/12/1874-1959).
They were married on 26/03/1894.
Walter had a brother, William Henry (17/11/1897-01/03/1968) and 2 sisters, Rosina Amelia (02/07/1894-1970) and
Doris Henrietta (29/08/1905-1973).
In the 1901 census, the family was recorded as living at 14 Kinnear Road, Hammersmith, London. Charles was employed as a general labourer.
Walter was admitted to Wendell Park School on 24/08/1903, leaving on 12/02/1909.
By the time of the 1911 census the family had moved and were now living at 25 Leffern Road, Shepherd's Bush, London.
Walter was now working as a doctor's boy, while his father was still employed as a builders labourer.
On 23/03/1914 Walter enlisted into the territorial regiment 10th Battalion (D.O.C.) Middlesex Regiment. His medical, carried out the same day , is as follows.
Apparent Age 18 years 9 months
Height 5ft 4 1/4 inches
Chest measurement – Girth when fully expanded - 35 inches
Range of Expansion - 4 inches
Vision – Normal
Physical development – Normal
Walter was transferred to the 8th Middlesex Regiment on 02/09/1914 before embarking with his regiment for Gibraltar on 10/09/1914. They stayed in Gibraltar until 14/02/1915, when they returned home before being sent to France aboard the
S.S. Empress at Southampton on 08/03/1915.
Just over a month later, Walter was killed in action on 25/04/1915.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
Personal items of Walters returned to his father were, pipe, purse, letters, photos and cap badges.
Originally Walter had been buried at map reference 28.D.16.d.7.0. and his identity was unknown. He was exhumed him on 17/01/1929 and were able to identify him from the items discovered with him, khaki, titles, boots and 8M.X.2773 badge.
Due to him previously thought not to have any known grave, his name also appears on the Menin Gate Memorial, Bay 49, Stone P.