Walter Edward Bunn

A Private with 1st Bn. Walter died on 24th of August 1914 at the age of 32. 

Walter was born at Pakefield on 12 June 1882, a son of Charles and Anna Bunn. He was baptised at All Saints Church, Pakefield, on 8 June 1884, From 19 October 1885 he attended Cunningham School, Pakefield. In 1891 his family lived at 2 Mickleburgh Cottages, Mill Road, Pakefield. From 7 September 1891 Walter attended Saint Margaret's School. In 1901 his family lived at 10 Wellington Cottages, Clapham Road,  and Walter worked as a labourer and later as a blacksmith. 

Walter served with the Norfolk Regiment Volunteer Battalion. He then volunteered to served with the 3rd Volunteer Company Norfolk Regiment in South Africa, service number 6865. This was a one year special enlistment and Walter served from 21 January 1902. He saw active service in the latter stages of the Boer War and was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal. 

Walter stated that he was a farrier when enlisted in the Norfolk Regiment, at Norwich, on 26 May 1904. He specially asked to join the Norfolk Regiment because of his previously service and because he had many friends in the regiment. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion on 15 October 1904 and to the 1st Battalion on 5 March 1907. A trustworthy soldier he was, for two years, the 'Silverman' for the Officer's Mess. He joined Section B of the Army Reserve on 25 May 1907.

On 25 April 1905 Walter married Florence Ethel Moore at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. The marriage register states that Walter was a farrier and that their address was 24 Selby Street which was Florence's family home. By 1911 they were living at 11 Cuba Street, Millwall, London, and Walter worked as a bricklayer's labourer for a provision manufacturer. Later Florence lived at 25 Till Road, Lowestoft.  

Walter was mobilized from the Reserve on 5 August 1914 and posted to the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment. He arrived in France, with the Battalion, on 16 August 1914. 

On 24 August 1914 the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment and the 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment were at Audregnies, near Mons. The British had little time to dig in when they were attacked by a large German force that outnumbered them by three to one. The Norfolk Regiment was given the order to retire and the Cheshire men covered their retreat, losing approximately 800 men in the holding action.  

Walter was reported to be missing in action on 24 August 1914 and, by January 1916, it was concluded that he had been killed in action on that date.

Initially Walter's body was buried near Soissons: map reference Soissons 33 20,000 188.3 x 296.5. Later, with battlefield clearance, his body was discovered and identified, from his identity disc. He was then reburied at Missy sur Aisne Communal cemetery. Further reorganisation meant that he was again exhumed and reburied at Buzancy Military Cemetery. 

Walter's brother-in-law George Bryant served in the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1918.