230625 Pte. John Thomas Walters British Army 7th Btn. Gloucester Regment from:Gloucester (d.8th Aug 1915) John Thomas Walters was a slipper maker by trade, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great grandfather before him. They were a Welsh family, but moved around during the 1860-1890s until they settled in Clapham, Kingsholm area of Gloucester. He was nicked named Slipper Tommy or Tom by his family and friends. This was because all the oldest males in the family were called John and were all Cordwainers (shoe or slipper makers).
Even though a slipper maker by trade, Tom had also a record of being in the army. He was in the Boer War and joined the 3rd Btn. Gloucesters 1899-1901, but stayed on the army list to be called back right until 1911. He had married Sarah Brannan, who was a girl originally from Wrexham, Wales, but her parents came over from Ireland during the potato famine. Sarah and Tom had seven children (including my grandfather Jack Walters). They lived in Suffolk Street and later Columbia Street; I think they had several addresses around the Clapham.
John Thomas Walters was killed in action on 8th of August 1915. Records seem to have his death date wrong and his age, but after searching for months, I did manage to obtain a death certificate for him. We have no photograph of Tom and would love to put a face to the name. So proud of him.
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