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Walter Bolland


From Haverton Hill, served with 2nd and 10th Battalions DLI, awarded Military Medal


Walter Bolland was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, in 1892. By the time of the 1901 census, Walter’s family had moved to Haverton Hill, near Stockton, where Walter’s father, Michael, was working as a labourer.

Unfortunately, Walter Bolland’s service papers have not survived, so it is not now possible to know when he joined the Durham Light Infantry as a Regular (professional) soldier. However, this must have been well before the First World War began, as 11640 Private Bolland went with the 2nd Battalion DLI to France on 8 September 1914.

At some time during the war, Walter Bolland was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the 10th Battalion DLI. He was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery during the fighting at Inverness Copse in August 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres. Sadly no citation has survived for this award. Towards the end of the war, Walter Bolland served with the 52nd (Graduated) Battalion as a Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS).

It is not known what happened to Walter Bolland after the end of the First World War.

Civil Parish: Billingham

Birth date: 1892

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 3 Ash Street, Haverton Hill, Stockton (1901 Census).

Family: 1901 census: father, Michael, born Winsford, Cheshire, labourer; mother, Elizabeth, born Birkenhead; plus seven children (including Walter).

Military service:

11640 Private, later Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS), served with 2nd, 10th and 52nd (Graduated) Battalions Durham Light Infantry.

Medal(s): Military Medal, 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Gender: Male

Contributed by John Sheen | Durham at War Volunteer