Walter Martindale

No record of receiving medals however entitlement would be British War Medal, Victory Medal

184th Overseas Battalion

WW I

Walter Martindale was born 03 February 1865 in Hamilton, Ontario, the first child of Isaac and Hannah Martindale. Walter emigrated to the United States and landed at the Port of Elkwood, on or about the month of May 1889. He lived in Cavalier County, North Dakota for a while where he applied for American citizenship 01 July 1889. For some reason Walter had a change of heart and decided to return to Canada. He moved to farm in the Morden area in 1897, met Flora Law and married her in 1898. Walter was the sole supporter of his mother, Hannah Martindale prior to the war and provided her with $40.00 a month.

Walter enlisted 04 March 1916 with the 184th Battalion at Morden, Manitoba stating he was born 03 February 1876 making him 39 years of age. He was 5’ 6½” tall with a fair complexion, grey eyes and auburn hair on enlistment. He arrived in England 12 November 1916 and was sent to Frances in the early part of 1917. He spent 11 months in theatre until early 1918 at which time he was diagnosed with Malagia. Walter confirmed that he had actually been born in 1865 making him 53 years of age. He had lied about his age on enlistment as he would not otherwise have been taken. He was deemed “Medically Unfit” (overage), discharged and returned to Canada. Due to his age, his experiences in France broke his health and he was never the same man. Walter and his family moved to Windygates, Manitoba in 1926 and stayed for 2 years living on the N.E. ¼ 7-1-17. Walter and Flora had a large family, Edith May (died shortly after birth), Harry, Isabel, Lillian, Florence, Walton, Sybil, Gilbert (Jack), Louisa, Gladys, Lloyd, Hazel, Wilfred (Buff) and Velma.

Walter died 21 November 1929 in Morden, he was 63. At the time of his death the youngest four children were still living at home, with Velma at 4 years the youngest.

Flora Martindale raised them alone through the depression years, moving often, as the houses she rented were sold or a place with a bigger or better garden became available. Once they even moved to a home farther from the Dead Horse Creek as they had been nearly flooded out that spring. Those were hard years for her as there was a good portion of sickness and she had much concern for the older ones who were “on their own” and jobs were hard to find. After a time Flora Martindale went to Snowflake, Manitoba to keep house for a family there. She took Velma with her.

Walter Martindale is buried at Hillside Cemetery in Morden, Manitoba.

Information from family and Walter’s WW I Personnel File.