In Memory of
WALTER JOHN BUNCE
Born: 1885 Steventon, Berkshire.
Eldest Son of Tom & Sarah Bunce of
87 The Causeway, Steventon.
Husband to Jane, Father to Hilda Mary (2yrs)
Pre-war occupation: Domestic Gardener
29034 Private Walter John Bunce
6th & 7th Battalion, Border Regiment
Died: 19th November 1918 aged 33
Infection whilst in Service in France – Died in Hospital Cheltenham, Gloucester
REMEMBERED WITH HONOUR:
St Michael & All Angels churchyard
Steventon, Berkshire
COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Private Walter John Bunce served with The Labour Corps and then The Border Regiment, initially with 6 battalion then the 7th. The Border Regiment was a line infantry regiment of the British Army. After spending 1 year and 7 months in the area of the Somme battlefields, on the 22nd April 1918 he was admitted to No. 29 Clearing Station for treatment to severe inflammation on the heel of his left foot. He was later transferred by Hospital Ship on 28th April to England. Unfortunately, the infection could not be stemmed and Private Bunce died in hospital in Cheltenham on 19th November 1918 - just 8 days after Armistice.
The Bunce family had lived in Steventon since at least 1804. The males of the family worked the land and listed their occupations as either Gardeners or Agricultural Labourers. Walter's father, Tom was going by the name of Tom Huggins according to the 1891 & 1901 Census. Walter was registered at birth as Walter John Huggins (1885) and was the eldest of 2 boys born to Tom and Sarah. Walter was very likely born at 87 The Causeway as this was the family home right up to at least 1939. By 1911 the family name had reverted back to Bunce once again and this was the name Walter used from then on..
Walter married in 1912 to Jane Elizabeth Chivers of Calne, Wiltshire. They were living at Station Road, Steventon with their young daughter Hilda Mary, when Walter died. Jane and Hilda continued to live at Station Road until Jane died in 1935.
