Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Stephen Auger a groom, born 21st August 1854 in Horton, Oxfordshire and his wife Elizabeth Auger (nee Preston, married in the 2nd quarter of 1879 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1855 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Walter was born in the 3rd quarter of 1887 in Melton Mowbray, his siblings were William, born 15th November 1879, Ernest, born 1881, Frank, born 1882, George Stephen, born 1883 and Harry, born 1890, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in April 1891 the family home was at 25, Goodricke Street, Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 Walter was residing in the family home at 26, Rosebery Avenue, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a domestic coachman, his mother and siblings, Frank, a grocer’s assistant, George, a grocer’s assistant and Harry. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a house painter and was residing in the family home at 30, Chapel Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his wife Ada Mary Auger (nee Main, married on the 21st May 1910 in St. Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire), born 1886 in Melton Mowbray. Walter and Ada had two children, Kathleen E., born on the 1st February 1912, and Stephen H., born on the 11th October 1913, both children were born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
Walter attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservist’s) to serve an engagement of 1 year on the 24th August 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his age as 27 years and 38 days and his trade or calling as painter. He gave his present home address as 30, Chapel Street, Melton Mowbray. He confirmed that he was married. He stated that he had served with the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and had served for 6 years with the Territorial Force. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7 inches in height, weighed 150 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 37½ and 39 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was dark and he had brown eyes, he gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army Reserve on the 24th August 1914 in Melton Mowbray. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 12022 on the 24/8/14. Elected Messing Allowance on the 24/8/14. Commenced recruits training on the 24/8/14. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 3/9/14. Posted to the 10th (2nd Reserve) Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 31/10/14. Appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid) on the 26/11/15. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 1/12/15. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 14/12/15. Certified in the rank of Lance Corporal on the -?-. Killed in action, in the field on the 17/5/16. A summary of his service records, Home Service, 24/8/14 – 1/12/15, 1 year 100 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/12/15 – 17/5/16, 168 days. Total service 1 year 268 days. Walter was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. Walter’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 17 May-16 - Artillery. The enemy’s artillery were active for the greater part of the day (16th). The chief shell used was 4.5 Howitzer. They appeared to be registering the communication trench and support trenches behind trenches 63 – 65. No damage was done. Trench Mortars. The enemy fired about 40 rounds in the usual place ie. trench 67 between 7.00and 8.00pm. Most of the shells fell short of our wire. Observation Balloons. Several observation balloons were seen behind the German lines during the day. Aeroplanes. The enemy were observed to fire at our aeroplanes a new projectile. It appeared to be fired from a pom pom gun. The shots followed each other, and about a dozen were in the air at the same time, but our aeroplanes did not appear to be affected. Work Report. Same as for 16th.
On Friday May 26th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON NON. COM. KILLED. Another Meltonian, Lance-Corpl. Walter Auger, of the Leicesters, has been killed in action. He was apprenticed with the late Mr. Richard Shipley, painter and decorator, and subsequently entered the employ of Messrs. Farrows and Smith. Having formerly belonged to the old Volunteers, he left Melton with the 1st class National Reserves on August 26th 1914, and went out to France the first week in December, 1915. During the whole time he has only had three week-end leaves. Deceased who was in his 29th year, leaves a wife and two children for whom much sympathy will be felt. The widow has received the following letter from Lieutenant T. W. Warner: “17th May, 1916. It is with deepest sympathy and heartfelt regret I write to tell you that 12022, Lance-Corpl. Auger, was hit by a bullet, and died immediately. He had just started out, and was going along the front line trenches with a work party, when it suddenly happened. He was always most willing to do anything, and whatever it was he did it cheerfully, and did his very best. Both the officers and men will miss him awfully, and I, more than any of them. I feel unable to express my deep sympathy with you in your loss.” G. F. Gresham, a comrade states that Lance-Corpl. Auger suffered no pain, for he died in less than two minutes. The bullet went in his back and came out against his heart.
On Friday June 2nd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – (A photograph accompanied the article). LCE.-CORPL. WALTER AUGER, of the Leicesters, who was killed in action, as reported in our last issue. In a letter to deceased’s wife, who resides in Chapel-st., Melton Mowbray, one of his comrades says:- “Dear Mrs. Auger, - I am very sorry to have to write and tell you such bad news, but I happened to be with your husband when he met his death, and I can assure you he had no pain for he died in less than two minutes. The bullet went in his back and came out against his heart. I was to be sure to tell you how this section feels for you, as he was liked by all. They send you their deepest sympathy, and also myself, as we were old friends in peace times. I thought I would write a few lines in case you did not hear for a week or two. I cannot explain how we all felt at the time, it fairly knocked us all over. – Believe me, yours sincerely, G. E. Gresham.”
On Friday June 9th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. The following local casualties reported under various dates have been issued during the past week:- Killed: Leicestershire Regiment: Sharpe, 16405 Private W. (Sileby), Warrington, 16971 Private J. (Somerby). Wounded: Lincolnshire Regiment: Bellamy, 11840 Private G. H. (Melton Mowbray). Wounded: Shock – Shell: Leicestershire Regiment: Yates, 9115 Private P. (Sileby). Killed: Leicestershire Regiment: Auger, 12022 Lance Corporal W. (Melton Mowbray).
On Friday May 18th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM.- AUGER – In loving memory of Lance Corpl. Auger, husband of Ada M. Auger, killed by a sniper. May 17th 1916. He sleeps not in his native land. But ‘neath some foreign skies. And far from those who loved him best. In a hero’s grave he lies. From Wife and Children.