Walter Henry Mountiford Westropp-Dawson, Cheshire Regiment

In August 1914 the 2nd Battalion was serving in Jubbulpore, India. It returned to England, landing at Devonport on 24 December 1914 and was attached to 84th Brigade, 28th Division, at Winchester. It landed at Le Havre on 17 January 1915. It moved in October 1915 to Egypt and then on to Salonika

The Second Battle of Ypres, encompassed four battles in the northern sector of the Ypres Salient. The first of these began on 22 April 1915 as a surprise attack by the German 4th Army on the French sector of the Allied Front Line. This attack involved the first use of Chlorine gas on the Western Front. It was directed towards French troops and as a result of its devastating effect the German infantry made a significant advance into Allied territory within a few hours. During the following four weeks the Allied Forces of Belgium, France and Britain, including Canada, fought to hold off the successful German advance and to regain the ground that had been lost north of Ypres.

On the 24th of May, at commencement of the Battle of Bellewaarde, the Germans released a gas attack on a 4.5 mile front. The Divisions that faced the brunt of this suffered badly and called upon the reserve troops of the British 28th Division, which included the 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. The Cheshires had suffered badly in earlier actions and were very depleted in numbers with few NCO's. Some replacements had arrived but they were extremely inexperienced. They were ordered to counter-attack the German lines but they were driven back with heavy losses. Six officers were killed and 10 injured. There were 279 casualties amongst the other ranks. The battle ended on 25 May 1915 with both sides having reached a state of exhaustion and debilitating losses. Second Lieutenant Westropp-Dawson was one of the six officers killed. His Medal Index Card (MIC) records that he had arrived in France only four days previously on the 20 May 1915.

Born on 2 December 1893, he was the eldest son of Francis (Frank) Walter and Leticia Charlotte Westropp-Dawson (nee Gray) of Frondeg, London Road, Holyhead. He was a member of a prestigious Irish Protestant landowning family. In 1901 he lived at Ballaman, Tombrack, Wexford with his parents, Francis (41) and Charlotte (41) together with his sister Laura Frances Westropp-Dawson (8) and Robert Gray Westropp-Dawson (5). The house was large with 18 rooms and various outbuildings, including stables, coach-house, dairy, forge and a barn. The family were assisted by five servants - Governess, Cook, Parlour Maid, Kitchen Maid and Nursery Maid.

His father's family originated from Charlesfort, County Wexford, Ireland where he was a magistrate for the County. He was High Sherriff in 1899 and also High Sheriff for County Carlow in 1911. Previous to that he served as Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment and Captain in the 3rd Royal Irish Regiment, Wexford Militia.In 1911 the family resided at 18 St George's Road, Bedford. However, Walter and his mother were not present. His two siblings were attending school at Bedford.

Walter Westropp-Dawson entered Sandhurst Royal Military College on 31 January 1912. Records show that although he had completed his course he failed to achieve the necessary academic level and therefore was not offered a regimental commission. His MIC card suggests that he may have initially volunteered as an ordinary soldier before before being finally granted a commission. At the time of his death his family were living at Frondeg, London Road.

Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Although he has no known grave, he is remembered on the grave of his sister Laura Frances Westropp-Dawson at St Seiriol's Graveyard, Holyhead. She died on 31 January 1919, aged 25.

Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 19-22.

Note: Frondeg is still standing and is now the Prince of Wales Public House. At one time it was also the home of Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos, previously MP for Anglesey.