Walter Webster Wibdy

Walter was the son of William Wibdy, a general dealer, and Mary Wibdy (née Hickman). He was baptised at Chesterton, Cambridge, on 4 July 1869. William and Mary with their two sons, Herbert and Walter, evidently moved to Nottingham prior to 1881 as that year's census recorded them at 5 Alpine Street Basford. William was working as a general labourer and both his sons were coal miners. Walter joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps in 1897 when he was 20 years old and was still serving when he married Catherine Bunting at Nottingham Register Office on 28 April 1894. Catherine, who was born in Somercotes, Derbyshire, was the daughter of Job and Ann Bunting and had been a lace mender before her marriage. Walter and Catherine had eight children; Ethel Grace, William Walter (b. 8 April 1899), Lillian Ada (b. 27 November 1900), Annie Maud (b. 4 July 1902), Dorothy Ellen (b. 20 July 1904), Catherine May (b. 29 May 1906), Hilda Eva (b. 26 January 1911) and Frances Jessie (b. 30 August 1915). In 1901 while Walter was still serving in the army, Catherine was living at 2 Albert Street, Bulwell, with their first three children; Ethel (4), William (2) and Lillian (4 months). Catherine was a grocer/shop keeper on her own account and employed a young domestic servant, Sophia Hinton (12). Walter was discharged from the army in 1902 and in 1911 he and Catherine were living at 22 Broomhill Road which was to be their home until their deaths in 1920 and 1932 respectively. Walter had probably taken over the business which Catherine had been managing in 1901 as he was described as a baker/shopkeeper on his own account. By the time of the census they had seven children; Ethel Grace (14), who was assisting in the family business, William (11), Lillian (10), Annie (8), Dorothy (6), May (4) and Hilda (2 months). A seventh daughter, Frances Jessie, was to be born on 30 August 1915 just 4 months after Walter had enlisted in the Army Service Corps. Walter's only son, William Walter, joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Telegraphist and was just 17 years old when he was killed at the Battle of Jutland while serving in HMS Queen Mary. See this ROH for details of William's military record. His wife, Catherine, died on 11 January 1932 aged 59 years. His eldest daughter, Ethel Grace, married Clarence Holliday in 1920 and may have emigrated to America by 1930. Lillian Eva may have emigrated to Canada (1919-1924) and Annie may also have moved to Canada. Dorothy Ellen died on 18 November 1928 aged 24. Catherine May married Leslie Hardy in 1932 and died in 2002 aged 96 (death registered Tunbridge Wells, Kent), one child Stephen A Hardy (1938, Kent). Hilda Eva married Thomas G Allen in 1938 and died in 1993 aged 72 (death registered Lincoln), two children Sandra E (1942) and Glen (1945). The youngest daughter, Frances Jessie, married George E Osborn in 1938 and died in 1988 aged 72 (death registered Mansfield), one child Leigh (1946).

Walter was initially a miner. Following his first discharge from military service he became a beer retailer and a baker on his own account.

He was living at 22 Broomhill Road when he enlisted in 1915.

Walter first joined the army at the age of 20 in 1887 and served with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps during the South African wars and was awarded the South Africa Medal. On 20 May 1902 after serving 16 years and 211 days he was discharged from the army at Cork as medically unfit for future service. His discharge papers cited his age as 36 and his address as 2 Albert Road Bulwell. On 22nd April 1915 at Nottingham Walter re-enlisted aged 46 years. He was sent to Aldershot Camp where he served with the Army Service Corps. He served on the home front at various camps until, on 6th November 1915, he was sent join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Egypt. He served with the force until he is returned to England on 9th June 1916 and hospitalised with rheumatism for 16 days at 2nd Western General Hospital at Manchester. He then remained on home service until 21st November 1917 when at Woolwich dockyard he was again discharged from the army as unfit for war service due to sickness. He had served for 2 years and 211 days and was awarded a Silver War Badge (badge number 286691). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His health continued to fail and he died on 11th April 1920 his 53rd birthday. He was buried in the family grave at Nottingham Northern Cemetery.

Nottingham Northern Cemetery family grave and headstone: ‘In Memoriam. Walter Webster Wibdy, died April 11th 1920 aged 53 years. Also William Walter, son of the above born April 8th 1899 Lost in the Jutland Battle May 31st 1916. Post mortem. Per mare. Per terras. Deo gratia. Ad majorem Dei gloriam. Also Dorothy E. died Novr. 18th 1928 aged 24 years. Also Catherine wife and mother of the above died January 11th 1932, aged 59 years.’ Probate: Wibdy Walter of 22a Broomhill-road Bulwell Nottingham general dealer died 11 April 1920 Probate Nottingham 6 August to Thomas Hardy estate agent. Effects £1873 8s. 7d. Probate: Wibdy Catherine of 22a Broomhill-road Bulwell Nottinghamshire widow died 11 January 1932 Administration Nottingham 15 April to Catherine May Hardy (wife of Leslie Allan Hardy) and Hilda Eva Wibdy spinster. Effects £1589 5s. 4d. Record researched by Peter Gillings and Rachel Farrand