Trafford

Born during the September quarter 1889 in the Barton upon Irwell R.D. -
ref: 8c/677, the son of Charles Hellyar & Elizabeth Mary Cundall (nee
Fletcher).

1891 Census - 76 Cromwell Street, Stretford.   Son - aged: 1 - born:
Stretford.   Head of household - Charles Hellyar Cundall - Married - aged:
42 - occ: Manila Medrchant - born: Ardwick, Manchester.   Also - Elizabeth
M. Cundall - Wife - aged: 37 - born: Northwich, Cheshire.   Plus 3 brothers
and 3 domestic servants.    "Manilla" Merchant = Manilla, Philippines.

Attended Ackworth Boarding School of the Society of Friends, Ackworth,
Pontefract, Yorkshire from 1898 to 1904.  He was keen on athletics and was
a 'Junior Champion'.   Soon after leaving Ackworth, he entered and
accountant's office in Manchester and studied for their professional
exams.

1901 Census - Ackworth Boarding School of the Society of Friends, Ackworth,
Pontefract, Yorkshire   Listed as Walter Lewis Cundall - Scholar aged: 11 -
born: Stretford.    No trace of his parents at this time.  His elder
brothers - Philip H. Cundall and Herbert F. Cundall were also pupils at the
school.  No trace of his younger brother - Charles E. Cundall.

Ackworth School was a large mixed school catering for 292 pupils - 173
males & 119 females plus 26 staff and 19 servants.  It still functions as a
Co-Ed School today.

His father died in 1903, aged: 55.   In 1908, he joined the 6th Manchester
Territorial's, but left after five years.

1911 Census - 7 Stanley Grove, Sale.   Son - aged: 23 - occ: Accounts Clerk
- born: Stretford.    Head of household - Elizabeth Cundall - Widow - aged:
57 - born: Northwich, Cheshire.   Plus 3 siblings and 1 domestic servant.

On the outbreak of War, he rejoined his old regiment and was sent to Egypt
with the rank of Lance Corporal.   After nine months further training the
Battalion was sent over to Gallipoli.   Ray Westlake's "British Regiments
at Gallipoli" states:- The 1/6th Battalion, Manchester Regiment were part
of 125th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division.  At 21.30 hrs on the 3rd
May 1915, they sailed for Gallipoli on the HMT Derfflinger (German vessel
seized by Britain in 1914) and disembarked at Helles at 16.00 hrs on the
6th and bivouaced on the cliff above 'W' Beach.   Each man carried 200
rounds of ammunition, two days supplies and iron rations, picks and
shovels.  No baggage or blankets were allowed.  They moved forward to a
position west of Krithia Bridge at 19.00 hrs on the 7th.  At 20.00 hrs on
the 8th, they moved up the Krithia Road and into support positions.  Moved
into the front line in the Krithia Nullah Sector on the 11th.  Moved back
into reserve lines on the 21st, but went back in to the front line on the
25th.   Together with the 1/5th Manchester's, they moved the line forward
between 50 and 200 yards.  They took part in the infamous Third Battle of
Krithia on the 4th June where their first objective was taken and
consolidated.  The enemy counter-attacked on the 6th. Walter became a
casualty of that Battle.

For 6 months or more, nothing was known of his fate and he was posted as
'Missing in Action' on the 6th.  It was not until another forward movement
that his body along with six of his comrades was discovered in the old
front line trenches.  I am grateful to the staff of Ackworth School who
kindly sent me many of the above details along with school photographs on
him and the School's WW1 War Memorial on which he is commemorated.

Post War, his mother resided at Hope Cottage, Chilworth, Surrey.

I am indebted to Celia Wolfe from Ackworth School for much of the above
information.