• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Roberts and Arscott family history

Four centuries of my ancestors in Devon

  • Home
  • About
  • Information
  • Newspapers
  • Latest
  • Contact

ON THIS DAY…April 2, 1917: Walter killed in attack in France

2 April 2023

On this day in 1917, Walter Heard (1882-1917) was killed in the Great War – in an attack on German positions at Ecoust-St Mein in France.

Walter, who was 35, was a private in the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment.

His death on April 2, 1917 was announced 18 days later in The Western Times.

The newspaper said he had completed ‘several months’ service’ and was ‘much respected’.

A memorial service for Walter – who left a widow and four children – was held in Winkleigh Parish Church on April 22, 1917.

A large congregation attended, and a ‘peal’ of honour was rung after the service.

Walter was listed in a Devonshire Regiment Roll of Honour in The Western Times on May 5, 1917.

A year after his death, his widow – Ellen – published a tribute to Walter in The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette.

It read: ‘Out of the stress of doing, into the peace of the done’. Walter’s body was never found.

He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, which commemorates 35,000 British and Allied soldiers with no known grave, and on Winkleigh War Memorial.

Paul Roberts

NOTES

Born in 1882 in Dolton, Devon, Walter was the son of blacksmith Robert Heard (1852-1941) and Betsy Newcombe Friend (1849-1917), who ran a grocer’s shop in Dolton. He married Ellen Turner (1874-1955) on August 28, 1904 in the Torrington registration district. They for many years lived at Seckington Lodge, Winkleigh.

Walter’s son, Ernest Robert Heard (1906-1987) married Dora Roberts (1917- 2004), the daughter of Walter Roberts (1881-1958) and Emily Laura Landick (1886-1949). Walter Roberts was the son of Daniel Roberts (1856-1936) and Leah Ann Stevens (1857-1930). Daniel was one of 15 children of John Roberts (1829-1919), my great-great grandfather, who had 30 grandsons serving in the Great War.

Picture below

Arras Memorial, on which Walter is remembered, and Fauberg-D’Amiens Cemetery. Photographed on September 7, 2010 by Carcharoth (Commons) – CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arras_Memorial_and_Fauberg-D%27Amiens_Cemetery_14.JPG

Share this post:

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Rifleman Louis survived Great War after being shot in the head
  • Your family history – told in a unique newspaper
  • Unveiled: An extraordinary story that would have shocked the world
  • Boy who went to Australia served as field ambulanceman in WW2
  • Cook’s mate Ernest’s day of high drama in Battle of Jutland

Search

Data, Terms & Privacy Statement | Home | Contact Me

Copyright © 2025 · Roberts and Arscott family history
Website designed and hosted by Mid Wales Design

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Read MoreAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT