YEOMANS, Walter James. CH. WW2. CWGC.

Died 01/12/1940 Age 21. Gunner, Royal Artillery, 222 Bty., 68 H.A.A. Regt. Service Number 879921.

Walter James YEOMANS was born and his birth registered in Derby in the autumn of 1919. His parents were James Henry Yeomans and Dorothy Yeomans (nee Ridler) who were married in the summer of 1919 in Derby.   Dorothy Ridler had earlier been married in Derby in 1906 to Ernest Henry Dadge, who had died on 1 April 1918 whilst a Prisoner of War in Germany.

The 1921 Census has the family living at 16, Norman Street, Derby as James and Dorothy Yeomans, young Walter James YEOMANS, and three children from Dorothy’s first marriage, Dorothy Dadge, Hilda Dadge and Ernest Dadge.

The 1939 Register shows that James and Dorothy Yeomans, having had twin daughters Nancy and Betty Yeomans born in 1921 and Maurice Yeomans born in 1924, were living at 1 Alexandra Street, Derby. It is possible that Walter James YEOMANS was absent as he may already have enlisted at the time the 1939 Register was compiled.

He died in Derby on 1st December 1940 aged 21, his funeral service was held on Thursday 5th December 1940 at St Chad’s Church followed by burial at Nottingham Road Cemetery.

Sources: Derby Census of 1911 and 1921 and the 1939 Register. Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths in Derby. Military Records and Casualty Card. Newspaper articles and announcements.