In Durham St. Giles Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave with a private family headstone of 4454701 Corporal Walter Laurence Coulthard serving with the 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 24/07/1942.

The headstone reads:-

In loving memory of
Cpl. Walter Laurence
Coulthard D.L.I.
Died July 25th 1942 aged 21 years

He was the son of Walter Ernest and Ellen Ann nee Middleton, Coulthard, of Durham.

The CWGC entry gives his middle name as “Lawrence”

Walter Laurence Coulthard was born February 1921 at 8 Therburn Road, Durham City, Co Durham. Then the only child. The father, (Walter Ernest) was employed as a hewer at Bearpark Colliery. He was born on the 15th December 1895 and was married in 1920 to an Ellen Ann nee Middleton, Coulthard. The father emigrated to the United States of America on the 6th May 1923 from Cranbrook British Columbia, Canada. He originally served in the 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, with the service number 2367, then transferred into the Northumberland Fusiliers with the new service number 89378. He was 5 feet seven inches. Medium complexion and weighed 150lbs. Walter was discharged under Kings Regulation 392 Para XXVa. Surplus to military requirements.

He became a naturalised American Citizen on the 18th August 1923, residing then at the Dupont Hotel, Dupont, Washington. His wife was still in the UK.

Walter Laurence Coulthard died as the result of a road accident 24th July 1942. Buried in Grave 831 Durham (St Giles) Churchyard. See Walter Laurence Coulthard entry on our sister site at 70th Brigade.

Walter Laurence Coulthard is remembered in Durham City on D47.054, also in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance, page 59, and also in the 70th Brigade website.