King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2nd Battalion, Service No. 6188
Killed in action 5th January 1915, aged 33
Story
Son of Frederick and Maria Coote of Wortley, Leeds, Walter was born on the 12th July 1881, and enlisted with the army before the War on the 6th September 1899, and served for eight years in the reserves. After leaving the Army, he came to Kippax, and was the Postman here in 1909. He lived at 23 Percy Street, Tong Road, before moving to 6 Malmesbury Street, Wortley, when he re-enlisted in 1914, and was promoted to acting corporal whilst on service.
Walter was killed at Nieuwkerke (also known as Neuve-Eglise) in Belgium. He was standing at the door of his billet and was struck in the chest by a piece of shell and died the same night. He was single. The Church was the scene of intense fighting, and was eventually captured by the Germans on 14 April 1918. Neuve-Eglise Railway Halte Cemetery contains the graves of 14 soldiers from the United Kingdom (including seven from Queen Victoria’s Rifles) who fell on the same day as Walter.
Below left: Present day Neuve Eglise with the graves of soldiers from World War One, and (below right) the ruins of the same Church at the end of the War.
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