Life History

Notes

• Walter James Datlen - Private 13425 - Royal Engineers
  
  On 5th February 1904 Walter James Datlen applied to join the RoyalEngineers. The approving Colonel recommended "that the man is enlistedfor the Royal Engineers. He is a smart respectable looking man and isby trade a gas fitter".
  
  The War Office replied on 6th February "The enlistment of this man isrecommended if of satisfactory character. The corps is as presentclosed to men of this trade". And on the 8th February "Approved ifcharacter is entirely satisfactory".
  
  Walter's character must have been "entirely satisfactory". On the 22ndFebruary he made his way to Canterbury and enlisted for 8 yearsservice into the Royal Engineers. On his attestation forms he declareshe was born in Dover and gave his age as 18 years 2 months, whichwould put his birth date as December 1885. His papers include adescriptive report from which we learn that he had a fair complexionwith brown eyes and brown hair. He was 5 feet 6.5 inches tall, weighed117lbs and had a chest measurement of 35 inches. He had no distinctivemarks other than 3 vaccination marks on his left arm. His religiousdenomination was Church of England but this was crossed out on 20thOctober 1909 and changed to Wesleyan.
  
  Walter spent his first few months of service in Chatham where heunderwent various tests and examinations. He was found to be an"Indifferent Gasfitter" and was retained to train as an engineer insubmarine mining. In March he received a 3rd class certificate ofeducation. In April he passed a 60 yards swimming test and later atPlymouth became a qualified swimmer. In December 1904 Walter was withthe 30th Company stationed at Devonport Station, Plymouth, where hereceived an "A" Skilled Qualification in Submarine and DefenceElectric Lighting and also qualified as a "skilled electrician".
  
  Walter was admitted into Devonport hospital on 25th July 1905 where hespent 50 days recovering. The cause is given as D.A.H. I do not knowwhat this could be and the medical officer's remarks are difficult toread.
  
  On 29th November 1905, Walter married Ruth Naomi Hutson. Whether shewas a local girl or whether they met in Dover prior to his enlistmentI cannot say. They were married in St Saviours Church, Plymouth. Thevicar was J.Jones and the two witnesses were John Embleton Gray andMary Nelsthorp.
  
  Walter retained his "entirely satisfactory character" and in February1906 was awarded the Good Conduct Badge. His training continued andhis skills were reaching higher standards. In June he qualified as a"superior electrician". His service in Plymouth came to an end inDecember 1906 when he was posted to his home town of Dover.
  
  On 24th September 1907, Walter's military career entered a new phase.He was posted to Gibraltar with the 1st Company RE where he and Naomiwere to remain for four years. In this time they had a son, WalterFrank Datlen born 3rd November 1908 and baptised 9th December 1908.
  
  In the summer of 1911 Walter was enjoying a period of leave. He wasback in Dover, England where the temperature in August reached anunprecedented 100 degrees Fahrenheit. He was coming to the end of his8 years service and his thoughts must have been on securing his futureas a civilian. He may have already found suitable employment as hewrote the following letter:-
  
  Walter wrote a letter dated 6th August 1911:-
  
  Sir,
  No 13425 Sapper Datlen W, respectfully solicits the favour of theOfficer Commanding G Coy to forward him particulars of character inorder do facilitate his obtaining employment as application has beenmade from Gilbraltar for transfer to reserve on expiration of leave.
  (on conversion of service)
  Signed W. Datlen, Sapper, 1st Company, Royal Engineers.
  166 London Road, Dover.
  
  Walter had 6 months remaining service. Army regulations would allowhim to convert this service into the Army Reserves where he would beavailable for call up should war be declared but also meant that hewas free to start employment.
  
  His reply was sent on 2nd September 1911 :-
  
  No. 13425, Sapper, W. J. Datlen, Royal Engineers.
  In Reply to your letter of the 6th ultimo, addressed to the OfficerCommanding "G" Company, R. E., requesting that a temporary charactercertificate be issued to you pending your transfer to the Army Reservebeing carried into effect :-
  You are informed that as you have not incurred any entries in yourconduct sheets for drunkenness or other offences during the whole ofyour service with the Colours (7 years and 8 months) you will beawarded an "Exemplary" Character.
  You hold trade qualifications as a "Superior" Electrician, and haveobtained a Third Class Certificate of Education.
  Signed Colonel, 1/c R. E. Records.
  
  On 1st November 1911 Walter was posted to 3rd Company based in Englandand was finally posted to the Army Reserve on 23rd December.
  
  The year 1914; Germany declares war on Russia and France and invadesBelgium; Britain declares war on Germany; The Great War has begun.Britain sends the first British troops over to France. These firstsoldiers become known as the old Contemptibles. Sapper Walter JamesDatlen will be one of them.
  
  On the 5th August 1914 Walter was recalled for service. He wasmobilized and once more joined the 30th Company at Plymouth. On 21stNovember 1914 he was sent to France as part of the BritishExpeditionary Force where, on the 28th November, he was joined withthe 7th Company, Royal Engineers at Armentiers. The company wasinvolved in a multitude of tasks during this time: Digging trenches;drainage; building shelters; painting; making bombs and mortars;working on roads.
  
  Just two weeks into his service in France and Walter was admitted toNo 11 Field Ambulance suffering from Gastritis. Another week and hewas admitted to No 12 General Hospital suffering from Dyspepsia. Thesecomplaints may well have been caused by the digestion of infected foodor poison and were most certainly further aggravated by nervoustension and anxiety. Walter had it so bad that there was no way hisservice could continue and he was sent back home.
  
  On the 21 Decmeber 1914 Walter was back in England he was "sent toSheffield Hospital (3rd northern) suffering from dyspepsia and painsin back. Came to Plymouth on leave and had an attack of Rheumatism(both legs and feet swollen). Recovered from this and was sent toChatham - then transferred to 30 Co. RE. At Plymouth. Was again sentto hospital (Salisbury Rd Hosp) March 1915, suffering fromNeurasthenia has been, since then attending sick parade." - Thismedical report dated May 1916 recommended Walter for discharge on thegrounds that he was permanently unfit for service. "This man is in avery highly nervous state…he is in no way fit for work in his neuroticcondition. Result of active service 'Strain of bombardment atArmentiers."  Despite his condition Walter was appointed Acting LanceCorporal, this was on 25th February 1916.
  
  The discharge papers required his physical details. His age was givenas 30 years and 4 months, still one year away from the truth. He stillhad Brown eyes and brown hair and his chest measurement was 35 incheswhen fully expanded. It seems though that military service stretchedWalter by an inch as his height is now given as 5 feet and 7.5 inches.His intended place of residence was listed as 198 Francis Place,Leyton, London.
  
  Walter's date of discharge was 26th May 1916. His Military characterwas noted as Exemplary - "Total abstainer, thoroughly reliable,capable, honest, intelligent, and a superb electrician & gas fitter".The reason for his discharge was given as "no longer physically fitfor war service."
  
  The remainder of the papers concentrate on Walter's pension allowanceand give various accounts of his continuing condition. 17th November1916 - "Trembling, easily scared."; 14th June 1917 - "Complaintssimilar, giddy at times, off work for 3 months."; 30th October 1917 -"Similar complaints, Had to stop work as electrician."; 2nd May 1918 -"State unimproving, shaky at times." A note is made of his new addressfrom 8th December 1919 - 3 Cobham Road, Victoria, Kingston on Thames.
  
  The last entry in Walter's file is dated 4th May 1921 and is a finalreview of his weekly allowance paid due to his suffering fromTraumatic Neurasthenia. He is awarded 9/6 for 70 weeks which includesan allowance for 1 child. A note on the form stresses the urgency ofthis review as "Man sails for Australia, 14 May" and asks for Walterto attend the office with a copy of his marriage certificate. HisAustralian address is later added to his records as Black ForestEstate, via Clarence Park, Adelaide. S.Australia.
  
  Walter served a total military service of 12 years and 95 days, he wasawarded the following medals:-
  
  1914 Star
  Clasp to 1914 Star
  Roses issued 3 May 1920
  

Sources

• 1. Family Register of Robert Elgar Datlen
  • Page 2 - Children's Names
• 2. 1891 British Census for Robert Elgar Datlen of Dover, Kent
  • Name: The National Archives; Date: 5th April 1891;
• 3. Mid Murray Council Website
  • Name: Mid Murray Counci;
  • http://www.mid-murray.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=1763
• 4. 1901 British Census for Robert Elgar Datlen of Dover, Kent
  • Name: The National Archives; Date: 31 March 1901;