Current Information:

Age-22

38, Bowater Place, Blackheath

Merville Communal Cemetery, France

In October, 1916, 56th Division left the Somme and moved north to the front line around Neuve-Chapelle where they were to spend the cold winter of 1916-1917. In January, 1917, 169 Brigade took over the Laventie sector here and on 20th January, 9th London moved into the front line. The battalion held three posts here, Irma, Bertha and Flame. Situated in the old German front line they were continually raided by the enemy and 9th London suffered badly, sustaining 130 casualties during the five days they spent here. Bertha was a particular target and on both the first two nights the Germans captured and held this post for a while before it was wrested back from their control. More casualties came during the night 23rd-24th January when a large working party were sent out to strengthen the wire around Bertha. They were seen by the enemy who responded with a heavy artillery barrage, causing havoc and death among this working party. 9th London were relieved from this position on 26th January, the day that Alfred Walder died of wounds.