Walter was born in Howden in 1894. He was the son of Walter Purdon of Howden who was a Waggoner, and Ellen Davy of Walkington. Others in the family were Edith, Miriam, Maud,
Herbert, Gladys and Charles. In 1911 Walter was working as a Waggoner, for William Danby, at Duncan Wold Farm, Cherry Burton.
He enlisted aged 24 on 19th December 1914 into the Hull Heavy Battery. The Beverley Guardian reports in the autumn of 1915 that “Driver, Purdon, Hull Heavy Battery stationed at Hedon sustained a nasty accident through being kicked by a horse. After three weeks in hospital he had been allowed seven days sick leave which he is spending with his parents. Driver Purdon is we are glad to learn, going on well”.
He died on 9th April, 1918 in Flanders during the German Offensive. He is buried in the Faubourg-d, Amiens Cemetery Arras, France. Also commemorated on the Cherry Burton WW1 Memorial
The Royal Garrison Artillery (R.G.A.) developed from the fortress based artillery located on British coasts from 1914 when the army possessed very little heavy artillery; it grew into a very large component of the British Forces. It was armed with heavy calibre guns and howitzers that were positioned some way behind the front line and had immense destructive power. From 1914 the R.G.A. were involved in many battles. Men like Walter Purdon, with the experience of managing horses would have been much sort after in regiments using these big beasts to haul heavy guns into place.
