Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of David Hurrell a furnace labourer, born 1863 in Chesterfield Derbyshire and his wife Selina Hurrell, (nee Turner, married in the 4th quarter of 1889 in the Parish of St. Paul, Hasland, Derbyshire) born 1864 in Chesterfield. Walter Hurrell was born in the 2nd quarter of 1895 in Whittington, Derbyshire, his siblings were, Annie, born 1891, Albert, born 1893 and Ada, born 1894, the latter three siblings were all born in Chesterfield, Ernest, born 1897 and Lily, born 1900, the latter two siblings were both born in Whittington, in March 1901 the family home was at 6, Back Street, Whittington. In December 1901, in the Chesterfield, Derbyshire district, Walter’s mother died aged 37, and she was buried on the 9th December 1901 in Whittington, Derbyshire. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a steel worker and was residing in the family home at Welby Lane, Sysonby, Leicestershire together with his father, a steel worker, his step mother, Annie Hurrell (formerly Marshall, married in the 2nd quarter of 1905 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1865 in Leicestershire and his siblings, Ada a wool trade worker, Ernest, a steel worker, Lily a schoolgirl, and Mabel, a schoolgirl, born 1899 in Melton Mowbray. Walter first entered the theatre of war in France on the 28th February 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The War Memorial spells his surname as Horrell.
On Friday June 29th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. Mr and Mrs D. Hurrell, 5, Welby Lane, have received information that their son, Pte. Walter Hurrell, of the Leicester’s was killed in action on the 8th inst. Deceased was in his 23rd year, and was formerly employed at the Holwell Iron Works. On the morning that he got killed his parents received a letter from him stating that he was quite well. The news of his death was conveyed in the following letter:- “Dear Mr and Mrs Hurrell. It is with great sorrow I have to inform you that your son Walter was killed on the 8th inst. It will perhaps relieve your mind a little to know his death was instantaneous. He was shot through the neck with a bullet. It is a very great loss to the platoon as he was always happy and cheerful, and all the lads of the platoon, especially the boys from Melton, wish me to convey to you their sincerest sympathy. He always did his duty nobly and without fear, and it was in an attack he met his death. – Yours sincerely. Pte. A. Sharp.” PS – Will send you his wallet and photos at the first opportunity. The news was officially confirmed in a letter received from the war Office on Tuesday morning. In the same issue the following article was published under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – DEATHS. HURRELL.- In France, on June 8th 1917, Pte. Walter Hurrell, of the Leicestershire Regt., the dearly loved and eldest son of Mr and Mrs Hurrell, of Welby Lane, Sysonby, aged 22. The family desire to thank all kind friends for their many and comforting expressions and letters of sympathy.
The War Diary records: 8 Jun-17 – TRENCHES - MARQUEFFLES FARM. Assembled for attack at 5.00pm. At 8.30pm attacked FOSSE 3 with “C” Company on the right, “B” Company on the left, “D” Company in support and “A” Company carrying. The left Company was held up and lost all its officers, Captain WYNNE killed, 2nd Lieutenant FARRAR killed, 2nd Lieutenant NELSON wounded. The right Company went right through killing about 80 of the enemy, taking about 8 prisoners and destroying 3 machine guns and 2 trench mortars. Our casualties 5 officers and 91 other ranks.
On Friday June 7th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – HURRELL. – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. Walter Hurrell, killed in action June 8th, 1917, aged 22.
He sleeps besides his comrades.
In a hallowed grave unknown.
But his name is written in words of love.
In the hearts he left at home.
Do not ask us if we miss him.
There is such a vacant place.
We shall ne’er forget his footsteps.
Or his dear, familiar face.
From his sorrowing Father and Mother, Sisters, and Brother Ernest (in France).