Serjeant 29212 Walter Vere Hemingway

BMD details:
Marriage: 1st Qtr 1906 Walter Hemingway to Sarah Ann Yates at Prescot. Vol 8b - Page 938.

Family details:
Son of William Hemingway, of Co. Mayo; husband of Sarah A. Fenn (formerly Hemingway), of 32, Water St., St. Helens. Next-of-kin from service papers: Mrs Sarah Ann Hemingway (wife), 6 Barton Street, Parr, St Helens.

Census details:
Not found before 1911. 1911 - Sees 29 years old 'Coal Miner (Hewer)' Walter V living at 14 Barton Street, Parr, St Helens with wife Sarah Anne (23) and two children: Walter Vere (2), Sarah Anne (2 mths).

Serjeant 694189 Walter Hemingway Walter Hemingway was a native of Ireland. He married Sarah Ann Yates in Prescot on 26th June 1903. They had two children, Walter (21st January 1909) and Elsie (11th September 1914). Walter attested to the Labour Corps on 26th May 1919 at Warrington. He was a 38 year old Mining Contractor and reported that he had previously served as Private 29212 with the Cheshire Regiment. His next of kin was his wife, Sarah, of 6, Barton Street, St Helens. Whilst with the Cheshires, it appears that he served on Garrison Duties on Gibralter for a little over three years before being discharged due to Bronchitis. Included in his records is a copy of the death certificate of his 2 year old daughter Alice on 15th January 1915, showing that she died of Broncho Pneumonia. On this certificate, Walter is recorded as private 11362 with the 6th Bn., South Lancashire regiment and a Coal Miner by trade. Walter is the informant, stating the he was present at the death of his daughter. He returned to France on 14th June 1919. At this time, Labour Corps duties covered areas such as battlefield clearance and recovery, and also the task of building cemeteries and bringing in bodies from the battlefield. His previous experience meant that he was quickly promoted to Corporal, and then to Acting Sergeant on 26th August 1919. His service record continues on 18th April 1920 when he is posted to a different Labour Company. His company is noted as 'GRE' which - Graves Registration and Enquiries'. He was part of 'A' Company, Graves Registration Unit, based at Eterpigny. On 19th October `1920, his records state that he has died from injuries received in a Motor Car accident, suffering a fracture of the skull and shock. He was admitted to St Quentin French Hospital but was dead on arrival. Walter's service in Gibralter would entitle him to the British War medal, however as he did not arrive in France until after the Armistice, he does not have an entitlement to the Victory Medal. [pic]imgs/sppics/WV_Hemingway_Ches.jpg[/pic][caption]The headstone of Serjeant Walter V Hemingway at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun (Photograph courtesy of R Houghton)[/caption]