Walter William Howes

Gunner - 178290 - Royal Garrison Artillery

Walter William Howes, the son of William Edmund Howes and his wife Mary Ann (Larter), was born on 31st May 1892 in Swardeston, Norfolk. He was the third of William and Mary's five children, Ellen (1887), Ethel (1890), George (1894) and Herbert (1899). William Edmund Howes was the illegitimate son of Ann Maria Howes and was brought up by his grandparents Richard Howes and Hannah (Palmer), initially in Scott's Terrace, Mulbarton (by the turnpike) and later by the common in Swardeston. Hannah died in April 1881 and, when William married Mary Larter in 1887, Richard continued to live in the same cottage by Swardeston common with William, Mary and their growing family until his death in May 1891. William was a gardener (not domestic) by trade which meant he worked on one of the many market gardens in Swardeston for which the village was renowned.

His father William died in late 1905 when Walter was just 13 years old and his mother Mary passed away just 18 months later leaving the five children, between the ages of 6 and 19, orphaned. Ellen was by now working as a cook for a chartered accountant in Christchurch Road, Norwich. Ethel married Sydney White, a butcher, originally from Great Yarmouth who moved to Swardeston with his parents and siblings in 1890 and continued to live in the village after his marriage to Ethel. Walter went to live with his uncle George Larter and aunt Sarah in East Carleton while George and younger brother Herbert went to live with their uncle Harry Larter and aunt Charlotta in Swardeston.

Walter joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner, with Service No. 178290. His army records do not survive but we know he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. As with his younger brother George he did not get the 1914 or 1914-15 Star so one can assume he did not join the army until at least 1916.

Walter married Stella Beatrice Maud Postle, just after WW1 began, at the end of 1914 and they had two daughters. Esme Phyllis Howes was born 22nd June 1915 and Cecilia Stella Howes was born 12th February 1918. Esme married Leslie George Rix at the beginning of 1936 and Cecilia married James W Skipper in 1948. It is almost certain that children and/or grandchildren survive but, as yet, they are not traced.

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