In Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord is the Commonwealth War Grave of 1366 Bugler Walter Nairn, serving with the 1/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (T.F.) who died 02/06/1915.

Walter Nairn was born in Southwick on Wear on the 12th December 1895, he was the fourth son of the late John Nairn, of Southwick on Wear, Fruiterer and his wife Isabella, (23 Grosvenor Street, Southwick on Wear), daughter of Benjamin Cook, of Monkwearmouth.

Walter was educated at the Southwick Board School. He enlisted with the 1/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 26th March 1911. He was employed at Priestman’s Yard, Sunderland.

Walter volunteered for foreign service after the outbreak of war and was killed in action “somewhere” in France on the 22nd June 1915 by a sniper.

He was unmarried, His four brothers are all on active service, a fact upon which their mother was complimented by H.M. the King.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

Walter Nairn  is remembered at Southwick on S130.22, at Sunderland in S140.48 Part 12 page 268 , in Peter Gibson’s book, on the 7th D.L.I. Roll of Honour and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 159.