There are many Commonwealth Graves in Chadderton Cemetery. One of these stands out. It lies in a quiet corner of Chadderton Cemetery. The headstone is noted for its isolation. There are no other headstones in the immediate vicinity. The headstone marks the resting place of Private W.C. Maskell, a 15-year-old boy who died during the First World War.
Recently, someone placed a plaque/memorial dedicated to Private Maskell on a tree that grows over the grave. It is a wonderful tribute to a young boy, Walter Charles Maskell who died during a horrific time in our history, many miles from home.
Walter Charles Maskell’s Early Life
Walter Charles Maskell was born in Brighton, Sussex on 14th February 1900. He was baptised at St John, Carlton Hill in Brighton on 29th March 1900.
The church now serves as a Greek Orthodox Church.
Walter Charles Maskell appears on the 1901 census. He lived at 7 Laurel Row in Brighton with his father, Joseph and his mother, Ellen. An older sibling, Geroge aged 4 also features on the census.
The next time we see Walter is on the 1911 census. The family had moved to 25 Laurel Row. Walter again features alongside his mother, Ellen, his father, Joseph who worked as a coal carman and his older brother George. The family had grown throughout the decade and additional siblings are listed as William, Joseph, Henry and Nellie.
The area has since been redeveloped and the house and the street no longer stand.
Private W.C. Maskell
War broke out in 1914. Stories of the bravery of young men and boys, all eager to serve King and Country are plentiful. Although I am unable to locate Walter’s enlistment papers, it is likely that he enlisted in the Army in early 1915.
In 1915, Walter was only 15 years old! The minimum age for enlistment was 18 years of age. It seems then that Walter lied about his age at recruitment.
He joined the 17th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. This particular regiment was raised as a Bantam Batallion. Bantam Battalions were formed to accept recruits under 5 feet 3 inches (which was the normal minimum height recruitment for soldiers). In the Great War Forum, one of Walter’s relatives claims that Walter’s father, Joseph stood at 5 feet 4 inches, and so perhaps Walter was small in stature, like his father. Perhaps this is the reason he travelled to the north of England?
From 2nd January 1915 until 16th March 1915, the 17th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers was based in Bury. Then on 16th March 1915, they moved to Chadderton, Oldham. Presumably, Walter joined the battalion in Bury and then moved with the regiment to Chadderton for training.
The Death of a Boy
On 27th May 1915, Walter tragically died. Miliarty papers list Meningitis as the cause of death. There was an outbreak of meningitis at the beginning of the First World War. The disease is highly contagious and outbreaks of Meningitis during wartime were not unheard of. Fatality rates of the infected were around 70%.
Sadly, Walter succumbed to the illness and died on 27th May 1915.
He died at West Hulme Hospital, also known as Westhulme Fever Hospital, for it treated infectious diseases. Now long gone, it was located close to the modern Royal Oldham Hospital. It is now the site of a newly built Aldi dealership, as pictured below.
Walter’s burial record gives his age as 19 years old.
As does his official death record. We can assume that his real age was only revealed once his parents were informed of his passing. The military had learnt of his true age when they arranged for a headstone to be placed over his resting place in Chadderton cemetery as the official paperwork notes his correct age of 15.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was set up in 1917 to honour the war dead and his headstone was placed sometime after that.
And here the headstone still lies today. A tribute which marks the resting place of a young, 15-year-old boy who decided to leave home, and travel miles away to an industrial town in the North to train to serve King and Country.
Rest in Peace Private Walter Charles Maskell.
For a similar post from me, see Disorderly Scenes at a Funeral.
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So lovely to hear from you. And I’m so proud that he is still remembered. Would you be able to send me a picture of the grave ? My last visit gosh around 8 years ago now I took pictures but kept them online and no longer have access to them .
Author
Hi Leanne,
Yes of course I will! I’ll get some up to date pictures on my next walk!
This is my grandfather’s brother. I always heard about Uncle Walter growing up, but never knew the full story. A few years ago, my mum began researching our family tree—and through the kindness of strangers in Oldham, we discovered where he was buried.
The people of Oldham had been searching for years to find his family. Local schools knew him only as “the unknown boy,” and he had quietly touched many hearts. When my mum connected with them, everything finally came together. We visited his grave, and it felt like Walter was finally at peace, surrounded by people who cared.
Today, as a parish councillor attending a VE Day commemoration, I found myself thinking of my grandad and his brother Walter, who was just 15. I Googled his name—and to see this site has made me feel so proud and deeply grateful. Thank you to everyone who kept his memory alive all these years. He was never truly forgotten.
Author
Hello Leanne,
It is wonderful to hear from you. I can’t tell you what joy it brings to hear fro ma relative of Walter, someone who was so unknown to us, but we feel a closeness to as we pass him daily. Your Uncle’s grave is very well tended to and a wonderful testament to the high esteem in which he is held. My own children know of Walter’s story ensuring he and his resting place will be remembered for decades to come! You must be very proud to be related to such a remarkable individual, his story is so incredibly moving and a wonderful representation of a most incredible generation. Thank you so much for getting in touch.
Ashley