Oswald Richard Walden was born in late 1888 or early 1889, his birth recorded in the March quarter of that year at Bridport.  He appears on the 1891 census as a two year old living at Shipton Gorge, Dorset (the place of his birth) with his father (28 year old George Richard Groves Walden; a farmer), his mother (29 year old Martha Joan Walden) and a cousin (22 year old Ellis Thomas Robert Walden, also a farmer and recorded as a nephew of Oswald’s father).  I have been unable to locate him on the 1901 census.

 

Chailey Parish Magazine first notes him in its February 1916 issue, stating: Walden, Dvr O R, ASC, France.  This information appears up to and including November 1916.  Thereafter, there is no mention of this man in the parish magazine.

 

The National Archives’ on-line medal information card index notes T3/024103 Driver Oswald Walden serving with the Army Service Corps and later transferring, still as a driver, to the Royal Field Artillery where he was given the number 219181.

 

 

Sources & Acknowledgements

 

• 1891 Census of England & Wales
• Chailey Parish Magazine
• The National Archives’ on-line medal information card index