Walter Charles Thorne

Story:
Walter Charles Thorne was born in 1895 in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, and baptised there on 8th December, 1895. He was the son of Charles Stephen Thorne, a grocer's carter, and Agnes Charlotte Thorne (nee Stevens). (NB Up until the 1911 Census the family name was spelt 'Thorn' the 'e' was added for all purposes thereafter.) At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Caker's Lad and living at Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in the 5th Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment (Service No. 1035) and at the time of his death he held the rank of Lance Corporal. He served at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He was presumed killed in action on 16th August 1915 and his name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 55). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. He also appears on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Irish Roll of Honour.  His father received a pension and his financial effects in due course. Walter's brothers Wilfred Henry Thorne and Cecil Bernard Longman Thorne, also served in the war and survived the conflict.