Early years

Walter Griffin was born in Worcester in early 1896. The son of Walter and Louisa Griffin, he was christened Vivian Walter Neal Griffin at St Martin-in-the-Cornmarket, Worcester on 8th March 1896.  At the time Walter and Louise ran a grocers shop at 21 Mealcheapen Street.

A move to Malvern

Around 1909, the family moved to Malvern where Walter senior was a cab proprietor and he also ran the Supply Stores on Newtown Road (at Bedford House).  The family lived at Hawkstone House, a boarding house, on North Malvern Road.  With the nearby quarry working, there were probably no shortage of boarders.  The 1911 Census indicates that Walter was known as Neal.

First World War

Walter Griffin was called up with the Yeomanry at the beginning of the war and went to Egypt in April 1915.  His two brothers, Cecil and Owen also served with the Worcestershire Yeomanry. 

In August, as infantry, the Regiment were sent to Suvla Bay, and took part in the Gallipoli campaign. Here they were in support of the Anzacs and other British soldiers, in an attempt to break through the Turkish defences. These Turkish defences on the hills overlooking the beaches proved too strong and Gallipoli was evacuated in January 1916.

The Worcestershire Yeomanry then proceeded to Egypt, where the Regiment was sent to protect the eastern side of the Suez Canal. The Regiment dug wells and sent out patrols for reconnaissance to establish the location of the Turkish attack, the Regiment being responsible for patrolling the whole of the Qatia water area.

On 23rd April 1916, a strong force of Turkish soldiers captured Oghratine and Qatia from the Worcestershire Yeomanry after severe fighting and a determined defence.  In these actions, 9 officers and 102 NCOs and men of the Regiment were killed and many other wounded.  However, Walter Griffin survived this incident.

Charge at Huj

By November 1917, the tide had turned and British and Imperial Forces were in pursuit of Turkish forces following the Battle of Beersheba.  In the pursuit that followed the Worcestershire Yeomanry with the Warwickshire Yeomanry took part in the last cavalry charge on guns in British Military history, the Charge at Huj.

Under Colonel Hugh Cheape the cavalry charged a group of Turkish guns at Huj on 8th November 1917. This action, in defence of the beleaguered 60th London Division, who were pinned down by Turkish fire, succeeded forcing them to withdraw and resulted in the capture of the guns. Yeomanry losses were heavy. Two out of nine officers were killed and four wounded and of 96 NCOs and men 17 were killed and 35 wounded. 

Walter Griffin was one of these men killed.

Tributes

His parents received the news of Walter’s death in December 1917.  Revd Maynard Smith, Vicar of Holy Trinity wrote a tribute to him in the Parish Magazine that month, and noted that he was a choirboy and server at the Church of the Ascension (strangely he is not commemorated here).

Fighting to the last minute

In February 1918 they received a letter from the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Worcestershire Yeomanry informing them how their son died:

“He died fighting to the last minute. He was a hero. He was sent with a message back for more men to help, just after out gallant lads had made their brilliant charge. During the act of doing this he got wounded (and his horse as well). After everything was quiet he was found by the side of three Turks, who were dead also. That was three to one, and I must say that he accounted for them.

“He has won the greatest praise amongst all his comrades and especially from myself and I must day he was the best lad I ever had. You have my greatest sympathy in your great bereavement, and also that of all his comrades.”

Commemoration

Walter Griffin today lies buried alongside other Worcester Yeoman in the Gaza War Cemetery.

1901 Census
1911 Census
Malvern News 1/12/17, 16/12/17, 2/2/18
Stevens Annual for 1914 Malvern 1914
The Yeomanry Cavalry of Worcestershire 1914–1922.
Wikipedia