Walter Padwick Dyke was born on 4 June 1893 in Rotherhithe, London, one of the nine children of Walter Dyke (1850-1931) and Eleanor Dyke née Clover (1856-1931). His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1893 in the St Olave Registration District, London. On 9 August 1893 he was baptised in All Saints Church, Rotherhithe, where the baptismal register records not only his date of birth, but that his family lived at 7 Renforth Street, Rotherhithe and that his father was a gardener.
He was shown as aged 7 years in the census that was undertaken on 31 March 1901. He was living in a four roomed property at 7 Renforth Street, Rotherhithe, with his parents and six siblings: Stewart Dyke (1885-1953) - an assistant oilman; William Ewart Dyke (1886-1945) - also an assistant oilman; Harold George Dyke (1887-1954) - an assistant grocer; Eleanor Jessie Dyke (1888-1913); Daisy Maria Dyke (1890-1975) and Rosina Lilian Dyke (1895-1986). His father continued to be listed as a gardener.
His father described him as aged 17 years and a general printing labourer on the census returned form that he completed on 2 April 1911. He was living in a six roomed property at 47 St James Road, Bermondsey, London, with his parents and five of his siblings: Stewart Dyke - an assistant at a wholesale drapery; William Ewart Dyke - an umbrella finisher; Eleanor Jessie Dyke; Daisy Maria Dyke - a fur's liner; and Rosina Lilian Dyke who was listed as a scholar. His father described himself as a London County Council gardener and confirmed that his wife had given birth to nine children, but that only seven were still alive.
On the outbreak of World War One he enlisted, in October 1914, as a Private in the 22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen's), service number 2673. He entered France on 15 March 1915, but whilst serving in his battalion's 'C' Company, he died of wounds, aged 22 years, on 30 September 1915. His body was , in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, 84 B Rue de Sailly, 62290 Nœux-les-Mines, France.
On 9 December 1915 his army effects totalling £3-4s-11d were sent to his father who was also sent his £3-0s-0d war gratuity on 10 July 1919. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is shown, incorrectly, as 'PTE W•R•DYKE' on the 22nd Battalion, London Regiment memorial at 2 Queens Court, Old Jamaica Road, London, SE1. He is also commemorated on the , on the , on the , on the , on the , on and on .
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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