Royal Wootton Bassett's forgotten soldier remembered with memorial

Private Walter Harris died in 1920 after sustaining a war injury, aged only 22, and he was buried in Royal Wootton Bassett cemetery with just a helmet instead of a headstone.

His identity remained unknown since, until Monday, when a memorial was finally placed on his grave in a ceremony that brought together his family, the town council and Royal British Legion.

Now the town's mayor, Coun Eve Silvester, hopes his newly installed memorial will act as a reminder that "we are never unknown".

Wreaths and flowers laid at the newly installed headstone. (Image: Newsquest)

After a reading from Psalm 139 by the Mayor and a rendition of ‘The Last Post’ by Matthew Walton, family and community members were invited to step forwards to lay wreaths in remembrance of the war veteran.

Coun Silvester laid a wreath made of laurel leaves, in mark of the laurel wreaths laid at Private Harris’ original funeral in 1920.

It was such a privilege to attend the memorial service for Private Walter Harris in Royal Wootton Bassett this morning.

Private Harris was injured during World War One and his grave has been unnamed and unmarked for over 100 years. pic.twitter.com/CHEZx0rmwX

— Sarah Dalton (@sarahjanesname) August 21, 2023

Among those in attendance at Down’s View Cemetery, was Private Harris’ great niece, Sue Elisha. Her grandfather William was injured in the same year as his brother.

“He was so young when he signed up, he must’ve been petrified. They went through so much and I’m sure they all came back as very different men” she said.

“But if he was anything like my own grandfather then I’m sure he would’ve been a real gentleman,” she added.

Sheridan Parsons began mapping out Walter Harris’ history from birth until death, and she has been a key figure in keeping Walter’s memory alive.

“It just grew out of a little project really. I hear a lot of sad stories, so it’s nice to make sure that they’re remembered properly,” she said.

“He is no less important than the other guys in the cemetery with him.”

The service was attended by the town's mayor, Walter's remaining family and the Royal British Legion among others. (Image: Newsquest)

Also in attendance was Steve Stewart from Commonwealth War Graves who play a vital part in preserving the memory of our country’s veterans.

“We provided the headstone and it is our job to look after war graves,” he explained.

“We look at the evidence given to us to decide if each casualty qualifies as a war casualty, and then we identify the grave and made recommendations.

“It took nine months to install this headstone because it has been made in France, but we will now look after Private Harris’ grave going forward.”

Private Walter Harris' grave can now be visited at the far end of Down's View Cemetery in Royal Wootton Bassett.

You can read more about his life and legacy here.