Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Photograph courtesy of A. Garford 2020

Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Andrews a builder’s merchant’s manager, born 1866 in Thrussington, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Elizabeth Andrews (nee Matthews, married in the 4th quarter of 1893 in the Lutterworth, Leicestershire district), born 1870 in Gilmorton, Leicestershire. Walter, a schoolboy was born in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in Leicester, his siblings were, Susannah, a schoolgirl, born 1897, Ambrose William Ernest, born in the 3rd quarter of 1898 and Frederick Cecil, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 75, Tudor Road, Leicester. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a milk boy and was residing in the family home at 75, Tudor Road, Leicester, together with his father, a builder’s merchant’s foreman, his mother and siblings, Susannah, a printing and bookbinding trade worker, Ernest, a schoolboy, Cecil, a schoolboy and Ethel West, a schoolgirl, born 2nd March 1902 in Leicester.
Walter attested into the Territorial Force to serve (One year’s Embodied Service at Home) on the 31st August 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Leicester, his age as 19 years and 2 months and his trade or calling as engineer turner. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father John Andrews of 75, Tudor Road, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7½ inches in height, weighed 149 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches. His vision and physical development were described as good. His complexion was described as sallow, his hair colour was dark and his eyes were brown. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 31st August 1915 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2401 on the 31/8/14. Posted to the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 31/8/14. Embodied service commenced on the 31/8/14. Admitted to the 50th Northern Casualty Clearing Station, Hazebrouck suffering from influenza on the 18/8/15. Admitted to the 25th General Hospital at Etaples on the 20/8/15. Admitted to the Convalescent Depot No.7 at Camiers on the 27/8/15. Arrived at N.U.D. Base at Rouen on the 11/9/15. Proceeded to rejoin unit, in the field on the 27/9/15. Missing in action on the 13/10/15. Taken as Prisoner of War and admitted to Feld-Lazarette, No.10, Phalempin suffering from fractured skull caused by gunshot, where he died on the 3/11/15. Buried in the cemetery at Phalempin on the 3/11/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 31/8/14 – 1/3/15, 183 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/15 – 3/11/15, 247 days. Total service, 1 year 65 days. Walter was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Walter’s father John Andrews on the 30th April 1919, and was witnessed and signed by John Horn, Wesleyan Minister, 2, Fosse Road Central, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, John Andrews of 75, Tudor Road, Leicester. Mother of soldier, Sarah Elizabeth Andrews of 75, Tudor Road, Leicester. Full blood brothers of soldier, Ambrose William Ernest Andrews, age 20 of 75, Tudor Road, Leicester. Frederick Cecil Andrews, age 18 of 75, Tudor Road, Leicester. Full blood sisters of soldier, Susannah Andrews, age 22 of 75, Tudor Road, Leicester. Ethel West Andrews, age 17 of 75, Tudor Road, Leicester. Mabel Andrews, age 3 of 75, Tudor Road, Leicester.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Tuesday, November 16th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Private WALTER ANDREWS (2401), 1st/4th Leicester’s, is officially reported missing since the engagement on October 13th. He is 20 years of age, and his parents reside at 75, Tudor-road, Leicester. He enlisted at the outbreak of the war, and had previously been in the employ of Messrs. Wildt and Co., The Newarkes.
On Monday, December 6th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – MISSING LEICESTER’S. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. WALTER ANDREWS, 4th Leicester’s, missing since Oct 13th. His parents reside at 75, Tudor-road, Leicester.