Nov 12, 1890

Born in Manchester, England to Francis Thomas and Emma (nee Hughes) Wagstaff

Aug 16, 1912

Embarked the SS Virginian in Liverpool

Aug 23, 1912

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Peterborough, Ontario

Oct 18, 1913

Married to Florence Helen Field in Peterborough, Ontario

Dec 23, 1915

Attested into the 93^rd Battalion CEF in Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Number 195497

Ø  Next of kin given as Florence Ellen Wagstaff, wife, 31 Brown St., Brownton, Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Baker

Ø  Previous military experience given as 7^th Manchester Regiment in England for 5 years and the 57^th Regiment, Peterborough Rangers, Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Assigned to “C” Company

 
Initial training was done in Peterborough, Ontario

Jan 1, 1916

Promoted to the provisional rank of Sergeant

May 29, 1916

The battalion boarded a train and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario to continue training at the Barriefield Camp

Jul 15, 1916

Embarked the Empress of Britain in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 25, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Otterpool Camp

On arrival at the Otterpool Camp he was appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant

Oct 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

On joining the battalion, he reverted to the rank of Private at his own request

Oct 27, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 28, 1916

Joined the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 138 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Nov 21, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

On arrival at the entrenching battalion he was appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant with pay

Apr 16, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion he joined the 21^st Battalion in support trenches west of Thelus, France

On joining the battalion, he reverted to the rank of Private as the battalion had a full complement of NCOs.

May 9, 1917

While the battalion was occupying the support trenches south of Arras, France, Private Walter Wagstaff was killed when they came under an intense artillery barrage.  He was initially buried in a nearby field by his comrades.  In late 1919 his remains were exhumed and reburied in the Orchard Dump Cemetery, Arleux-en-Gohelle, France

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. F.E. Wagstaff, 76 Robert St., West Gorton, Manchester, England

A second Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. E. Wagstaff, Georgetown, Ontario

Peterborough Examiner May 25, 1917

 
Walter Wagstaff is honoured on the Peterborough, Ontario War Memorial