Walter Frank Meaden

Story:
Walter Frank Meaden (commonly known as Frank) was born in Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, on 21 Mar 1892 and baptised there on 9 Sep 1894 the son of Albert Henry Meaden and Martha Meaden (nee Rose).   He lived his early life in Okeford Fitzpaine and Tarrant Gunville, Dorset.  By 1911 his parents had moved to St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, whilst the Census shows Walter was visiting his cousin in Buckland Newton, Dorset.   He went to Canada shortly after and had enlisted with the Canadian Army Service Corps as a Private (Service No. 3460).  He was sent to the UK and served at the Training Depot set up in Shorncliffe, Kent.  He held the ranks of Acting Corporal and Acting Sergeant over this period.  He later served with the No 2. Casualty Unit but was repatriated back to Toronto, Canada, on 17 Apr 1918 as he was suffering from a deformed foot caused by a motorcycle accident in Mar 1916 whilst despatch riding.  This accident caused him to be discharged as being no longer fit for service.  He obviously returned to the UK where he married Elsie Cray at Long Critchell, Dorset, on 19 Nov 1920 where, by the 1921 Census, he was living described as a Farmer.  By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Lower Minchington Farm, Farnham, Dorset, described as a Mixed Farmer.  His death was recorded at the Poole, Dorset, Registry in 1975. Of his three other brothers, Edwin Arthur Meaden was killed in action whilst Bertie Meaden and Frederick John Meaden survived the conflict.  All four names appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.