Walter Murfitt, my second cousin twice removed, was the son of Joseph and Amelia (nee Benison) and the seventh of their eight children. Born in Stretham, Cambs, in 1888, he was undoubtedly a contemporary of my great-uncle Ben Langford who was killed in 1914.
Walter remained in Stretham until 26 January 1910 when he enlisted for seven years in the Notts & Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment; I found him in Crownhill Fort, Devon, in the 1911 census with the 2nd Battalion. Promoted to Lance-Sergeant on 10 December 1913, the battalion presumably went to France in 1914.
Walter was killed on 5 October 1915 and buried in the Potijze Cemetery at Ypres. His death was marked in the Cambridge Independent Press on 14 October:-
Stretham Man Killed
News has been received at Stretham of the death of Lance-Sergt. Walter Murfitt, 11272, 1st Notts and Derby Regt. (First Sherwoods). The deceased, who was killed in action in France on October 5th, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Murfitt, of Stretham, and was included in Sir John French's list of those recommended for gallant and distinguished service in the field. Previous to going to the front, Lance-Sergt. Murfitt had seen three years' service in India. He came home from France in the first week of August, when all the family gathered to greet the gallant soldier, who was highly esteemed in Stretham. Great regret has been expressed at his death.
We will remember them.
