Prince of Wales’ Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Service no. 4/8249
Parents: James Bickerdike and Mary Goodall, of 11 South View, Station Road, Kippax.
Younger brother of Alfred Bickerdike, who died of wounds 24th July 1917
Killed in action 14th May 1916, aged 29
Story
Before the War, Walter worked at The Co-operative Society in Kippax, and had worked at Ledston Luck Colliery. Walter responded to the call for volunteers four days after war was declared. He went to the front in March 1915, and was soon hospitalised and sent back to England after suffering from gas poisoning. He returned to the trenches in December 1915.
Walter was killed in Action in France in May 1916 in the build up to the Battle of Vimy Ridge. His Captain wrote to his parents explaining that Walter along with two comrades had been killed instantly after being hit by a bursting shell. His older brother Alfred had been at the front for six weeks at the time.
On Sunday morning at St Mary’s Church, some of Walter’s favourite hymns were sung, with his parents in attendance, and the organist played “O rest in the Lord”, with the Reverend E. B. Smith making reference to Walter’s death. In the evening, a memorial service was held in the United Methodist Chapel, conducted by the Reverend J. W. Davies of Castleford, with further hymns, and the “Dead March” played by the organist Mr. W Halliday.
Walter is buried at Aveluy Communal Cemetery, Extension 280.2 E.15 (below left). He is also remembered on the War Memorial on the front of the Co-operative Shop in the High Street (below right):
Kippax Roll of Honour 