WALTER DRAKE
Image courtesy of ukphotoarchive.org.uk
Born: 14th July 1885, Norwich, Norfolk.
Baptised: 3rd September 1885, at St. Augustine’s Church, Norwich, Norfolk. Parents: Emma Ann & Thomas Robert Drake, a Dyer.
Died: 26th June 1916; age 30; KiA – by a German shell – hitting his left lung & heart -while asleep in his dugout.
Residence: 18, Gatacre Road, Ipswich.
Enlisted: in the Royal Field Artillery 30th November 1903.
Service:
Transferred from the Royal Field Artillery to the Royal Horse Artillery, ‘B’ Battery whilst stationed at Ipswich.
Served in India 22nd October 1913 – December 1914.
Served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at the Dardanelles, where he was wounded and invalided to Alexandria, Egypt.
Rejoined his Battery and took part in the evacuation 9th January 1916.
Served with the British Expeditionary Force in Flanders and France.
Walter obtained his commission by promotion on the 27th February 1916 for services on the field.
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant; Service Number: 33565
Regiment: Royal Horse Artillery, ‘Y’ Battery.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.
Grave Reference:
Special Memorial North of Row Q, Plot 1.
Mailly Mallett,
Somme,
France.
(image courtesy of Emma Denton)
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Thomas Drake, of Norwich; husband of Sophia Kate Drake, of 21, Bantoft Terrace, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 13, Old Yard, Coslany, Norwich, Norfolk.
Walter was 5 years old and living with his parents & brothers.
Thomas Robert Drake, 27, a Higgler, born Norwich, Norfolk.
Emma Ann Drake (nee Ashby), 30, born Norwich.
George Drake, 8, born Norwich.
Herbert Drake, 4, born Norwich.
William Drake, 1, born Norwich.
1901 11, Dunns Yard, Norwich, Norfolk.
Walter was 16 years old, a Groom. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Thomas, 38, a General Dealer & Greengrocer – own account.
Emma, 40.
Herbert, 14.
William, 12.
Arthur Drake, 9, born Norwich.
Emma Drake, 5, born Norwich.
Clement Drake, 4, born Norwich.
Osbourne Albert Drake, 1, born Norwich.
1911 Royal Artillery Barracks, Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Walter was 25 years old, a Soldier ranked Corporal in the Royal Horse Artillery.
On the 2nd August 1911, Nackington, Kent, Walter married Sophia Kate Aldous, born 1885, Ipswich.
They had 1 son:
Eric Walter Thomas Drake, born 11th September 1913 – died 28th October 1945, a Captain, Royal Artillery.
Walter’s medals were sent to his widow, Mrs Sophia Drake, 21, Bantoft Terrace, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Mrs. Sophia Kate Drake – widow.
Probate to Sophia Kate Drake – widow.
Walter’s brother, Osbourne Albert Drake died of wounds, 3rd September 1918, France. A Rifleman, Rifle Brigade.
One Comment
My great Uncle Walter Drake.