SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY


2nd Lieutenant Walter Pearson BLAKESLEY

1/10th Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment 1718 and 290286


Walter was born on 1 June 1893 in Spratton, the son of Edward and Mary Blakesley who lived in the thatched cottages in First Turn, Spratton (now Holdenby Road). His brother Harry was 10 years older and had left Spratton by the time Walter joined up. Their father Edward Blakesley was a pedlar and both his sons were intelligent boys who did well. Harry became a clerk in a leather warehouse in Northampton and Walter was training to be a teacher.

Walter joined the 1/10th Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment as a Private (1718) and was commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant on 1 September 1917 (290286). He served in India on garrison duties and returned home safely. He received the British War Medal and the Territorial Force War Medal.

He revisited India later, returning from Bombay to Liverpool in May 1950. Walter died in Leicestershire in December 1967 aged 74.

Thatched cottages in First Turn, Spratton
Thatched cottages in First Turn, Spratton
Thatched cottages in First Turn, Spratton
Thatched cottages in First Turn, Spratton