Private Walter Heys MM
32461 1/5th South Lancashire Regiment
Killed in Action 22nd May 1918, aged 21
Lived at 63 Barden Lane
Buried in Houchin British Cemetery, France - I.B.17
St.Andrews
Memorial, Burnley
Burnley Express 1st
June 1918
Formerly 223551, Royal Army Service Corps, born & enlisted Burnley. Son of William and Jane Heys of 63 Barden Lane, Burnley,
“ONE OF MY BEST MEN.” Officers Tribute. (Burnley Express 1st
June 1918)
Mr & Mrs William Heys, of 63 Barden Lane, Burnley,
have received a letter stating that their son Rifleman Walter Heys, aged
21, was killed in France on Wednesday, May 22nd, by a piece of shrapnel.
The unfortunate soldier had been out since February, 1917. He joined the
Forces in September, 1916, as a motor driver, and serving eight months
he along with other single young men, was transferred into the South Lancashire
Rifle Brigade. Previous to enlisting he was employed as a motor driver
by Mr. Wesley Clegg (Nelson). He was for a time a member of the United
Temperance Cycling Club, and was well known, and highly respected by everyone
with whom he came into contact. There are two brothers serving in France,
and a younger brother is at present training. The deceased was on the
roll of honour both at St Andrew’s, where he was an old scholar,
and also at the Temperance Society, Parker Lane.
An Officer, in the course of his letter to Mrs Heys, says:- “I cannot
express my sorrow at losing such a good man, and I can assure you it is
felt by the whole of the Platoon. He was always most cheery and bright
under the most trying circumstances, and he was one of my best men. On
behalf of myself and his comrades, I wish to offer you our most sincere
sympathy in your great loss.- I remain, yours sincerely, W. J. Ferris”
ROLL OF HONOUR
HEYS-In affectionate memory of Rifleman Walter Heys,
who was killed by a piece of shrapnel
in France on May 22nd, 1918, in his 21st Year.
We loved
him dearly,
Lihue’s battle o’er, his victory won,
A soldier of the heavenly King.
He was all that a son and a brother should be.
-From Father,
Mother, and brothers, Arthur (in training), Albert and Charlie (in France).-Home,
63 Barden Lane, Burnley.
