Walter was born in 1879 in Leicester to William Headley, a framework knitter and Maria (nee Roberts). They had seven children I know of –
William 1863
Minnie 1867
Rowland 1870
Henry 1872
James 1875
Walter 1879
Edith 1885
In 1881 census the family lived at 114 Argyle St., Leicester. There is no 1891 census for the family.
In 1901 census they were at 24 Lower Willow St. and Maria is listed as a widow. Walter worked as a shoe finisher.
1903 Walter joined the army-The Sherwood Foresters Regiment.
1907 Maria, Walter’s mother was sent to the lunatic asylum where she died in 1913. Also Walter married Sarah Ann Rollinson and they had 1 child.
1911 census Walter and Sarah lived at 20 Frank St. and Walter worked as a wire coverer.
Walter rejoined his regiment as Private 8784 (he would have been in the reserves) and went to France on 11.12.1914. He died in Broadstairs Royal Military Hospital on 23.2.1915 of wounds received on 26.1.1915 and is buried in Gilroes cemetery, Leicester.
His photograph is in the Leicester Mercury 1.3.1915 pg2
