Second Lieutenant Walter Herbert Geffery Meire killed at Loos 1915

………….In loving memory…………….
…………………….of……………………
WALTER HERBERT GEFFERY MEIRE
2nd Lieut. 9th Norfolk Regiment
Formerly in the Ceylon Rifles
Who was killed in action in the Battle of Loos
September 26th 1915. Aged 25 years.
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.

MEIRE, WALTER HERBERT GEOFFREY
Rank:……………………..Second Lieutenant
Date of Death:……………26/09/1915
Age:……………………….25
Regiment:………………...Norfolk Regiment, 9th Bn.
Panel Reference:…………Panel 30 and 31.
Memorial:…………………LOOS MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Walter H. and Hanah M. Meire, of Verne House, Brundall, Norfolk. Formerly of the Ceylon Planters Rifles.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/736078/MEIRE,%20WALTE...

SDGW just confirms he was Killed in Action on the 26th September 1915 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. As with all officers, no place of birth or residence is given.

There is no obvious Civil Probate for this man.

There is no straight match for a Medal Index Card for this man. One possible transcription error is the card for Walter H Major. He was originally Private 25881 in the Bedfordshire Regiment before becoming a Second Lieutenant in the Norfolk Regiment.
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D3902426

No obvious International Red Cross records.

No match on Picture Norfolk

The Ceylon Roll of Honour apparently records
Meire, W. H. G.; late of Densworth, Dehiowita; Member of the Milward Contingent; 2nd-Lt. 9th Norfolks. Killed in Action.

Norfolk Chronicle 8th October 1915: A letter has been received by the family from Major Orams (9th Norfolks)-"Geoffrey was killed last Sunday morning. I have ascertained from Lt Spurrell, of the same company, who was close to him that he gallantly led his men out of the trench and was leading them across the open but had only got twenty or thirty yards when he was shot through the head. He died as a British officer should - at the head of his men."
(There is also a picture of Walter)
1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?/topic/127274...

On the same day his fellow officer and Brother Mason Lieutenant William CADGE of 9/Norfolk Regiment was also killed in the same attack. Both of these men had lived and worked in Ceylon and were members of Ceylon Masonic Lodges. (St John's Lodge of Colombo No. 454 E.C.)
webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:S6Msim6eKi8...

He was apparently a former pupil of the Norwich High School as he appears on their Roll of Honour.
www.worldwar1schoolarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/0...

1890 – Birth

The birth of a Walter Herbert G Meire was recorded in the Atcham District of Shropshire in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1890.

1891 Census of England and Wales

The 10 month old Walter H G, born Ford, Shropshire, was recorded living at a dwelling on Shoot Hill, Ford, Shropshire. This was the household of his parents, Walter H, (aged 28 and Living on Own Means, from Cound, Shropshire) and Hannah M, (aged 26 and from Thornage, Norfolk). As well as Walter they have a daughter, Alice Mabel, (aged 3, born Ford). Also in the household is Hannah’s unmarried sister, Edith M.G.Playford, (aged 19, Living on Own Means and originally from Thornage, Norfolk). To keep the household going there are three live in servants.

1901 Census of England and Wales

The family have now moved to 47 Unthank Road, Norwich. As well as parents Walter H, (38) and Hannah M, (37), childrel living with them are Alice M, (13), Walter H G, (10), Catherine, (7) and Florence M, (6) – all born Ford, Shropshire. There are two live in servants.

1911 Census of England and Wales

There is no trace of Walter on this census. His parents were living at “The Bungalow”, Bradeston, Brundall. Father Walter H gives his occupation as Scoutmaster and is living off Private Means. He and his wife Hannah, (46), have been married 25 years and have had 5 children, of which 4 were then still alive. Children still at home are Alice Mabel, (23), C.Dora, (17) and Florence M, (16). There are also two live in servants.

On the day

26th September 1915 – Battalion War Diary

Lonely Tree Hill.

At 3.30am Sunday 26th we got orders to move + assist the 20th Inf.Bde +to assault the Germans at dawn. We drew up in the German front line trenches at 5.30 am. The attack was launched at 6.45 am but owing to the heavy fire + especially to snipers no progress was possible + so cover was taken once more in the trenches, During Sunday 26th we occupied the trench
At 4 P.M. the 2nd Bn Worcesters came through us to attack the quarries. At 7 P.M. the germans opened heavy rifle fire on our trenches + sending up flares, we manned the reverse slope of the trenches in order to await attack of germans, + fire being so hot we retired to trenches behind to get cover for ??? men. The grenadier guards came up + occupied these trenches, so we retired to Lonely Tree, finding the trenches occupied by our troops on the way. At Lonely Tree we were told to concentrate at Vermelles which we reached at 6.35 a.m. Monday ??? 27th. Strength of party 3 Officers and 64 O.R.’s.

1.00am A heavy attack by the German 117th Division was launched against the forward units of 7th and 9th Divisions between the Vermelles-Hulluch road and Fosse 8. It achieved complete surprise, catching wiring parties and isolated sections unawares. On the right, 20th Brigade pulled all advanced units back to the protection of Gun Trench. In the centre, the most forward units were in a shallow trench a hundred yards ahead of the Quarries. Their left had no contact with the 27th Brigade of 9th Division, which was somewhere away on their left. A reorganisation of scattered and mixed-up units was underway - under shellfire that included gas shells - when the German attack hit. The enemy entered the Quarries through the undefended gap to the North, and much confused and hand to hand fighting took place. By 1.30am the British troops had lost the Quarries. Further advance was halted by concentrated fire from the 2/Yorkshire and 1/South Staffordshire. 27th Brigade - who lost their CO, Brig-General Bruce, captured in the Quarries - withdrew from Fosse Alley in good order. A hastily arranged counterattack with the intention of retaking the Quarries was delivered at 6.45am by the dog-tired 9/Norfolks of 24th Division, but it was annihilated by consolidated enemy infantry
www.1914-1918.net/BATTLES/bat13_loos/bat.htm

The 9th (Service) Battalion was formed at Norwich in September 1914 as part of K3, Kitcheners Third Army. In September 1914 it was attached to the 71st Brigade, 24th Division. The Battalion was assembled around Shoreham during September 1914 and it then spent 11 months in training after formation. Uniforms, equipment and blankets were slow in arriving and they initially wore emergency blue uniforms and carried dummy weapons. The battalion crossed to France between 28th August and 4th September 1915 where they joined X1 Corps and were sent up the line for the developing Battle of Loos. They disembarked at Boulogne almost 1000 strong, but 8 days later were reduced to 16 officers and 555 other ranks. The battalion lost a total of 1,019 men killed during the First World War. It marched from Montcarrel on the 21st September reaching Bethune on the 25th, before moving up to Lonely Tree Hill south of the La Basée Canal. They formed up for an attack in support of 11th Essex but were not engaged. At 03:30 on 26th September orders were received to assist 2nd Brigade on an attack on quarries west of Hulluch. At 05:30 the Battalion were in what had, the day before, been the German front trenches. The attack was launched at 06:45 under heavy fire, especially from snipers, after a full night of marching on empty stomachs and little or no progress was made before the Norfolks sought cover in the trenches. At 16:00 2nd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment passed through to attack. At 19:00 the Germans opened fire and the Norfolks were forced to fall back to trenches in the rear to take cover before being relieved by the Grenadier Guards whereupon they returned to Lonely Tree Hill. They had lost 5 officers killed and 9 wounded, with 39 other ranks killed, 122 wounded and 34 missing, a total of 209 casualties sustained in their first action.
forum.planetalk.net/viewtopic.php?t=4844&sid=b3e7614b...

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / Brundall (show map)

Taken on: August 8, 2015

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Walter Meire

Walter Herbert Geffery Meire

9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment

26/09/1915

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