Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Walter was born in Mirfield, Yorkshire on 14 November 1893, to parents Brooke and Sophia (nee Binns) Dutton. In 1911 Walter, aged 17, and his family were living at 1 Ingham Road, Thornhill Lees, near Dewsbury. His father was a railway coach examiner and Walter was a railway goods clerk. He had one brother, Younger Walker, aged 12 who was at school.

Gunner Walter Binns Dutton passed through Peterborough East Station on 29 August 1916.  He was with three other comrades all serving with the Royal Field Artillery and stationed at Norwich. He wrote two lines in the visitors’ book “Of all the ills that human flesh is heir to, Give me the hills of Yorkshire and the air too”.

We have been unable to trace his service records, however his medal records indicate that he was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals. From the clue Walter gave us in his book entry we have been able to trace him back to Yorkshire.

Following his war service Walter returned to Yorkshire and in 1939 was living with his parents at 33 Heath Road, Bradford.  He was still working as a railway goods clerk and at that time was unmarried. Walter died in Bradford in September 1972, aged 78 years.

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Walter.