Walter was born in 1899, his father, Arthur Herbert Capewell who was originally from Birmingham married Louisa Hubbard on 30/3/1891 while living at 136 Church Gate. They started their married life at 12 Dannett Street which is near to Fosse Road North. Arthur was working as a Shoe Clicker and Louisa was a Hosiery Hand.
Later they moved to 17 Scott Street living directly oposite St Michaels & All Angels Church. In 1904 Louisa gave birth to their seventh child, Archibald Victor, who was baptised at St Michaels Church on 9/5/1905, the next day his six older sibbling, Harry , Dorothy, Amelia, Elsie, Walter and Charlotte were baptised in the same church. Two more children were to follow, Beatrice Lilly born the following year and Clarence.
On 19th Febrary 1917 Walter enlisted, he was 5 feet 9 1⁄2 inches tall and his physical development was recorded as being moderate. On 31/3/1918 he was posted to France, where he was Killed in Action. With no known grave he is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. The Commonwealth War Graves recorded his death as being on the 19th April 1918, however, the army paperwork says the death date was 16th April. He was only 18 when he died and had served in the army for 1 year and 57 days.
In May 1919, the statement of the names and addresses of relatives of the deceased, form 5080, was signed by Walter’s mother, who was his next of kin following his fathers sucide in 1917 aged 47, as well as Rev H.P.Phillips who was living at no 2 Scott Street, who was a clergy man for not only St Michaels Church but also St Mary
Magdelene’s Church in Knighton. Walter’s personal effects were forwarded to his family in July 1918 and included letters, cards, photo, religious book, a wrist watch, cigarette case and a brown leather purse.
More information about the Capewell family can be found at http://easterbrook.org.uk/other_capewell.html
