Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article – Friday October 23rd, 1914

DO YOU KNOW

That fifty of the Coalville Territorial recruits have been selected to make up the 5th Battalion Leicestershire about to go abroad?

(Walter was one of these Famous ‘First Fifty’ as they would be forever remembered – only 22 would return - Walter would be one of those few.)

Coalville Times article – Friday October 30th, 1914

LOCAL NEWS

Fifty of the Coalville Territorial recruits who have been selected to make up the 5th Battalion for France received their clothes yesterday preparatory to leaving for Luton to-day (Friday).

Coalville Times article – Friday October 30th, 1914

COALVILLE TERRITORIALS LEAVE THIS MORNING
ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF

Fifty of the Territorial Reserves selected to make up the 5th Battalion at Luton left Coalville for that place by the 9 o’clock train this morning (Friday) amid scenes of great enthusiasm. The railway station, bridge, and approaches thereto, were crowded with hundreds of people, and the Coalville lads had a much hearty send-off. The crowd included the Vicar, curate and many of the leading residents of the town and district. The Territorials looked very smart in their new uniforms and before they left they found in their pockets packets of cigarettes and chocolates, a pleasant surprise which a number of Coalville ladies and gentlemen had thoughtfully prepared for them. While waiting for the train they and the crowd sang “It’s a long way to Tipperary” and other popular martial airs, and the train left amid ringing cheers.

Coalville Times article – Friday November 6th, 1914

LOCAL CHIT CHAT

Several of the Coalville friends of the fifty Territorial Reserves who left here for Luton last Friday have received letters which show that the men are in excellent spirits. Upon arrival at Luton they were allotted to various companies and were billeted at houses in the town, being supplied with warm blankets, and the food was stated to be good and plenty of it. It is just possible that they may have left Luton by now, as a letter received from one of them yesterday, stated they were mobilising on Wednesday and were expected to leave for an unknown destination. Since arriving at Luton on Friday they have had gun practice, several long marches and engaged in mimic warfare.

Coalville Times article – Friday January 7th 1916

One of the first fifty Territorials to leave Coalville, Mr W. Handford, of Highfields Street, formerly organist at Ashby Parish Church, has been visiting Coalville this week on leave from France?

Coalville Times article – Friday July 14th, 1916

COALVILLE SOLDIERS WOUNDED

Mrs Handford, of Highfields Street, Coalville, has received news that her son, L-Corporal Walter Handford, of the Leicestershire Regiment, has been wounded in action in France and has been moved to the Base Hospital.

L-Corporal Handford was one of the first 50 Territorials to leave Coalville in October, 1914 having joined up soon after the outbreak of war. He was then engaged as a teacher of music and was the organist at the Ashby Parish Church, where he was very popular, being a musician of considerable merit. His father died a short time ago. Hopes are entertained that the wounds may not be serious and that further news may be soon received from him.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 2nd, 1917

DO YOU KNOW THAT

Mr Walter Handford, of the Leicesters, who was one of the first fifty Territorials to leave Coalville, and has been wounded, is at home on leave?

Coalville Times article - Friday March 15th, 1918

COALVILLE OFFICER’S WEDDING

SECOND-LIEUTENANT W. HANDFORD AND MISS N. CHAMBERS

The wedding took place at Hugglescote Parish Church on Tuesday afternoon of 2nd-Lieut. Walter Handford, son of the late Mr W. Handford and Mrs Handford, of Highfields Street, Coalville and Miss Nellie Chambers, 8th daughter of Mr Thomas Chambers, formerly Leicestershire miners’ agent and Mrs Chambers, of Belvoir Road, Coalville. The ceremony was performed by Canon Broughton in the presence of a good congregation.

The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a crepe de chine dress trimmed with silver lace, with a wreath of orange blossom and veil, and carried a sheaf of white lilies. There were three bridesmaids – Miss F. Price (Coalville) and Miss M. Parsons (Hugglescote) who were attired in pink crepe de chine, and black picture hats, and Miss Gladys Hunt (niece of the bride), also attired in pink crepe de chine and hat to match, and carrying a sheaf of lilies and narcissi. Mr Ernest Handford (brother of the bridegroom) acted as best man. A number of friends were afterwards entertained by the bride’s parents and the happy couple subsequently left for London, where the honeymoon is being spent. They were the recipients of a splendid lot of presents.

Both the bride and bridegroom are well-known in Coalville and Ashby music circles, the bride being a talented singer and popular at concerts in the district, while, before the war, the bridegroom occupied the position of organist at Ashby Parish Church, and was a well-known music teacher. He has seen a good deal of active service in France, having joined up soon after war broke out, and was one of the first fifty Territorials to leave Coalville. He joined the Leicesters, and was subsequently given a commission in his own regiment.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 14th, 1918

COALVILLE OFFICERS’ TAKEN PRISONERS

News was received at Coalville on Sunday that Captain F. Scott, and 2nd Lieutenant W. Handford, two Coalville officers of the Leicestershire Regiment, had been taken prisoners of war. Both had previously been reported missing.

A letter received from a brother officer of Captain Scott says that he was magnificently leading his men, when they were surrounded by the Germans. Captain Scott is the son of Mr W. V. Scott, L. & N.W. stationmaster, at Coalville, another of whose sons has been killed in the war. The gallant officer has been in the war almost from the commencement, and has been wounded three times. He was the first Coalville officer to win the Military Cross.

Lieutenant Handford, who was with Captain Scott, was formerly a well-known musician in the Coalville district, and was the organist at the Ashby Parish Church. When at home on leave recently, he was married to Miss Nellie Chambers, daughter of Mr and Mrs T. Chambers of Belvoir Road, Coalville, and his widowed mother resides in Highfields Street.

Coalville Times article - Friday January 10th, 1919

COALVILLE OFFICER HOME AGAIN

LIEUT. W. HANDFORD’S RETURN FROM GERMANY

Second-Lieutenant Walter Handford, of the 8th Leicesters, who was taken prisoner by the Germans on May 27th last, has reached home. His widowed mother and wife reside at Highfields Street, Coalville. Before the war, Lieut. Handford was well-known in the musical circles of the district, being organist of the Ashby Parish Church. He was taken prisoner on the same day that Captain F. Scott, another Coalville soldier in the same regiment, was killed. Unfortunately, there seems to be no doubt now about Captain Scott’s death. For a long time his father, Mr W. V. Scott, L and N.W. station master, Coalville, was unable to obtain any definite news, but he has now received a letter from a soldier who states that he was present at the burial of Captain Scott, under a German guard. Captain Scott was the first officer from the Coalville district to win the M.C.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 18th, 1919

ADVERTISEMENT

Mr Walter Handford, having been demobilised, is resuming his duties as:
Director of Music at the Parish Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Vacancies for pupils for Organ, Pianoforte and Theory.
Organ pupils have free use of five 3-Manual Organ.
Pupils attended at their own homes. Distance no object.
High Class professional tuition only.

Term starts after Easter. Address: 95, Highfield Street, Coalville and Hendon House, Kilwardby Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 30th, 1921

LOCAL NEWS

Mr Walter Handford, who has been organist at the Ashby Parish Church since 1913, has resigned the position, his teaching activities having extended so much that he found it difficult to give the necessary time to the position of organist and choirmaster. Mr Handford joined the army at the outbreak of war and obtained a commission, but was eventually made a prisoner by the Germans. The position of organist was retained for him.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 7th, 1919

ADVERTISEMENT

Mr W. Handford

Organist, Parish Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, has limited number of vacancies for pupils for pianoforte and organ. Only pupils attended at their own homes.

Address: Parish Church, Ashby: 95, Highfield Street, Coalville

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 14/12/2017