Walter Inkpen

Story:
Walter Inkpen was born on 1st July 1887, in Shillingstone, Dorset, and was baptised there on 11th September, 1887. He was the son of John Reece Bradford Inkpen, a Postman, and Martha Inkpen (née Newman). His siblings included Ernest John, (b. 1895) and Bertram (b. 1898) both of whom died in the war. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a clerk and living at Behind Town, Shillingstone, Dorset.

He enlisted at Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8th September, 1914 and joined the 5th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 11001) as a Private but rapidly rose through the ranks to Sergeant by 1st April 1915. He served in the Balkans from 11 Jul 1915 particularly at Gallipoli, Turkey, and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He was presumed killed in action at Gallipoli on 21 Aug 1915 and his name appears on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 136 to 139). He is also remembered on the Motcombe War Memorial, Dorset, and on the War Memorial at the Church of the Holy Rood, Shillingstone, Dorset. Whilst his brother, Ernest, also appears on the Motcombe Memorial there is no mention of Bertram. When the 1914/15 Star was sent to his family in 1920, his mother had to remind the authorities that he was a Sergeant not a Private as inscribed on the medal. This was put right by the Records Office in Exeter, Devon, and a new medal issued in August, 1921. His mother was awarded a dependent's pension in respect of all three sons who died in the service of their country. (NB. Bertram served as a Private with the Gordon Highlanders (Service No. 12551).)