Walter John Levy

Walter John Levy
Private 29006 14th Battalion formally 22342 K.O.S.B.
Highland Light Infantry

 Divison 18 

Levey WJ photo

Walter John Levy is commemorated on the grave of Martha and Philip Levy who died in 1937 and 1938 respectively.  They are were the parents of Walter Levy.   The Berkshire family history Society classification for the grave is given a 18H3.  Cemetery Register number 12394.

A picture of a Private Levy (there is an error in the spelling of the name) gives the address as 12, Francis Street, Reading.  The 1911 census indicates that Philip Levy was a carter at the Corn Merchants (possibly Sutton Seeds) and the Walter a tin worker at the tin factory (Huntley, Borne and Stevens),other family members worked at the biscuit factory (Huntley and Palmers). Walter was 19 at the time of the census.

Walter Levy is recorded on the grave as being killed in action on 21st October 1916, aged 25.  He is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Marzingarbe, Pas de Calais.   Location I.D.37.  The cemetery is situated between Bethune and Lens.  Graves from the Loos battlefield were brought to the cemetery after the Armistice.

Originally the 14th Battalion was a Bantam battalion but it ceased to have this designation in early 1917. The battalion landed in France in July 1916 as part of the 40th Division. The division was formed between September and December 1915. Serving mainly on the loos battlefront the division was also involved in the battle of Ancre in 1916 on the Somme. There were a number of fierce attacks between including between 1 October and 11 November 1916 including one on 21 October the day Walter Levy lost his life, aged 24 years.

Further research is required to find out about the action in which Private Levy was killed.