Walter Haynes was born at Castlemorton in 1897, the son of John and Emma Haynes.  On the 1901 Census they were recorded living at Lanes Farm, Castlemorton, where John Haynes was a domestic coachman.  Walter was living with his five brothers, including William. 

Sometime after this, the family moved to Malvern Wells where Walter and William (and undoubtedly the other brothers) attended Malvern Wells C.E. School.  By 1911 however, they had moved back to Castlemorton, where Walter’s father worked as a gardener. 

Walter joined the army at Newport, and ended up in the Manchester Regiment.  He landed in France after March 1917 and was posted to the 2/8th Battaion.  During October, the battalion moved up to the Ypres South sector and were accommodated in ruined houses in Vlamertinghe. The following day, after a difficult march in stormy conditions, they relieved the 37th and 38th Regiments Australian Infantry in support sector. On 7th October they relieved the right front battalion of 49th Division. Here they found no continuous trench system and the front line troops had to occupy shell holes without any overhead cover, with a front of 800 yards.  They endured considerable shelling, particularly around battalion HQ the following day, and assaulting battalions moved through their positions on 9th October to continue the Passchendaele Offensive.

On 10th October the 2/8th Manchesters were relieved in the late evening by by 41st Australian Infantry Battalion, but this was too late for Walter who was killed on this day.

Walter has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial and home is remembered at Malvern Wells School, Malvern Library and also at St Gregory’s Church, Castlemorton.

Malvern Wells School War Memorial