Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Cecil Bradshaw, a gardener, born in the April quarter of 1867 in Sapcote, Leicestershire and baptised on the 26th May 1867 in All Saint’s Church, Sapcote (son of George Bradshaw and Sarah Ellis) and his wife (Frances) Fanny Bradshaw (nee Halfpenny, married on the 9th August 1893 in the Church of St. Mary de Castro, Leicester), born in the July quarter of 1862 in Leicester (daughter of Henry Halfpenny and Ann Pratt). Walter was born on the 10th May 1894 in Sapcote and was baptised on the 1st July 1894 in All Saint’s Church, Sapcote, his siblings were, Doris, born on the 12th September 1897 and baptised on the 3rd October 1897 in St. Peter’s Church, Aston Flamville, Leicestershire and Ada Mabel, born on the 11th February 1901 and baptised on the 24th March 1901 in St. Peter’s Church, Aston Flamville, both his siblings were born in Aston Flamville, in March 1901 the family home was at Aston Flamville. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a nursery garden boy at the Burbage Experimental Station and was residing in the family home at Aston Flamville, together with his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and sister Ada.
Walter enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 10th March 1913 in Hinckley, and was allotted the service number 1514. He gave his place of birth as Sapcote, Hinckley, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 10 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as farmer, currently in the employ of Mr. J. O. Burchnall, Aston Flamville. He gave his present address as Aston Flamville near Hinckley.
His medical examination took place in Hinckley on the 10th March 1913 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years 10 months, that he was 5 feet 4 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37 inches and his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Cecil Bradshaw, mother Fanny Bradshaw, Aston Flamville near Hinckley.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. 10/3/13.
Posted. 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 10/3/13.
Embodied service commenced. 5th Bn. Leicestershire regt. Pte. 5/8/14.
Discharged. Under King’s Regulations Para: 392 (XVI). 29/11/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 10/3/13 – 27/2/15. 354 days.
France. 28/2/15 – 19/8/15. 172 days.
Home Service. 20/8/15 – 29/11/15. 101 days.
Total Service. 2 years 264 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal and the Silver War Badge, No. 8138.
Walter’s surviving service record amounts to a total of five pages, and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of some of the events that took place during his period of his service.
NOTE: Walter was discharged from the Army, the cause being given as, varix of the left calf, this rendered him as physically unfit for war service, he was discharged with the military character, good. He then worked at New Park Farm, Groby Road, Leicester, residing with his sister Doris, at 29, Woodgate, Leicester. He died in Leicester on the 20th October 1918 from influenza and pneumonia and was interred in Gilroes Cemetery, Leicester on the 24th October 1918.