In Vermelles British Cemetery, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of Second Lieutenant Walter Henry Platten, serving with the 19th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers who died 10/09/1916.
The son of Walter William and Alice Christina Platten, of 69, Cleveland Road North Shields. A member of Tyne Electrical Engineers, R.E. Territorials, was called up for service on the 31st July, 1914. Native of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Whitley Seaside Chronicle and Visitors’ Gazette Saturday 23/09/1916
THE LATE LIEUT. W. H. PLATTEN
‘Many sea siders will regret to hear that Mr Platten, of Burnham, Holywell Avenue, Monkseaton, has received news of the death of his son, Lieut. Walter Henry Platten, in action.
He has just received the following telegram from the King and Queen, and also a sympathetic letter from a brother officer:
Buckingham Palace,
The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the Army have sustained by the death of your son in the service of his country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow.
KEEPER OF THE PRIVY PURSE.
14th September,
Dear Mr Platten.- Just a few lines to assure you of our sympathy. Your son was a most promising young officer and remarkable for his keenness. He was visiting sentries on the night of the 9th-10th, when he was killed by an aerial torpedo, which seems to have burst right in the trench. A sergeant was killed at the same time and three men wounded. Your son, by all accounts, died so soon after being hit that I do not think that he suffered much.-
Yours sincerely,
B. J. Jones
Lieutenant Platten, who was only 22 years of age, has practically resided all his life in Whitley Bay, his parents having been residents of the seaside for nearly a score of years.
He was a Park School-boy and later joining the Territorials, was called up on the 31st July 1914. Lieut. Platten was at that period in the employ of Messrs. R. B. Avery, shipowners, Quayside, Newcastle.
On being called up Mr Platten was attached to the South Wales Borderers, but later joined the 19th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, receiving his commission on the 15th July, 1915. He left for the Front last August, and met his death on the 10th September.
Acknowledgment: Angela Conroy
Walter Henry Platten is remembered at Tynemouth in T36.14 page 21 and in Whitley Bay on W84.01, W84.08, W84.10, W84.14 and in W84.30 page 21.
