Private Walter Edmondson. 

20196 7th East Lancashire Regiment.

       Killed in Action 1st November 1916, aged 22.

Walter was born in Burnley about 1894, the son of William and Mary Edmondson. In the 1901 census the family lived at 7 Paradise St, Burnley. William 86 Carter, Mary 55, Maria 23 weaver, Walter 7, and a boarder Mary Riley, all born in Burnley.

In the 1911 census Walter (17) was boarding with his mother Mary (67) with a Mr. Ben Hirst (his uncle) at 7 Paradise St Burnley.

Walter married Elizabeth Vysick in the June quarter of 1916, Burnley.

From the Burnley Express dated 25th November 1916: BURNLEY CLOGGER KILLED

Mrs Hirst of 7 Paradise Street Burnley, received official news on Tuesday night that her nephew private Walter Edmundson of the East Lancashire Regiment was killed in action in France on November 1st.  Before enlisting on the 10th of April last year Private Edmundson was a clogger in the employ of the Burnley Co-Operative Society and he attended St Mary's Roman Catholic Church. His parents died some time ago and he had been brought up by his uncle and Aunt Mr and Mrs Benjamin Hirst. Mr Hirst was killed at Hapton Valley Pit on the 17th of October last and the last letter Private Edmundson wrote home was one of sympathy to his aunt Mrs Hirst, wondering how she would get along with him away and her husband killed. She's left with 7 young children. That letter was dated October 30th and Private Edmundson was killed next day. He was 22 years of age. He sailed for France on 26th of September last.

Walter left his effects to his sister Maria Hirst.

Walter lived at 7 Paradise St., Burnley.

Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France:  Pier 6C

Photo courtesy of George Coppock 2024