Born: 1892
Died: 27 November 1917
Buried:
Address: 35 Park Road, Carr Lane, Windhill
Parents: John and Elizabeth
Spouse: Edith, nee Verity
Siblings: Arthur, Willie
Occupation: Machine minder, piece finishing
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Pte
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Baildon Methodist Church; Baildon; Christchurch, Windhill; Tyne Cot Memorial
Children: Arthur
Regiment: West Yorkshire, 2nd Battn
Walter Murgatroyd
In the 1911 census, Walter was 19
and living with his parents at 11
East Parade Baildon. It was a
family that suffered enormous
strains during the war.
On 18 March 1916, Walter married
Edith Verity at Calverley Church
and teh couple lived at Park Road,
Windhill. Their son, Arthur, was
born 23 September 1916.
On 13 July 1917 a report appeared
in the Shipley Times & Express
about Walter and his brothers:
“Pte Walter Murgatroyd, son of Mr
and Mrs J Murgatroyd of East
Parade, Baildon, is at present home
on sick leave following his
discharge from Exeter Hospital
where he underwent an operation
about a month ago.
“Pte Murgatroyd has seen a good
amount of hard fighting in France,
whilst his twin brother, Arthur, is
on active service at Salonica. A
younger brother, Willie, received
his discharge from the army a few
months ago and is now carrying on
his work in civilian life.”
Walter returned to the Front after
his recovery and on 14 December
1917 it was reported:
“The condolences of the public go
to Mr and Mrs J Murgatroyd of
East Parade, Baildon, whose son,
Walter, of the West Yorks Regt,
was recently killed in action whilst
on active service in France.
“Pte Murgatroyd leaves a widow
and child to mourn his loss also.”
And the family’s tragedy did not
end there for three weeks later the
newspaper reported:
“Much sympathy is felt with Mr J
Murgatroyd and family who reside
at East Parade, Baildon.
“Mr Murgatroyd’s eldest son, Pte
Walter Murgatroyd of the West
Yorkshire Regiment, was officially
reported about a fortnight ago to
have been killed in action on 25th
November.
“After the receipt of this
distressing news, Pte Murgatroyd’s
mother became ill, her condition
being mostly attributed to the grief
and anxiety of the bereavement and
she died a week ago.
“Pte Murgatroyd’s twin brother,
Arthur, is on active service in
Salonika whilst a younger brother,
William has been discharged from
the Army.”
Thanks to Tish and Michael Lawson
for their help in this research
