219676 Sgt. Walter John Bagshaw MID.British Army 2/5th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment from:Coventry My grandfather, Walter Bagshaw served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. I believe the 2/5th Battalion and was part of the 182nd Inf Bde with the 61st Division. He once had a silver cigarette box with the monogram LXI, the roman numerals for the 61st Div. he survived the war and demobilised in Mar 1919. He was awarded two MIDs – but I do not know what for?
He ended up as a Sgt and we believe he worked in an HQ of some sort as either a Pay Clerk or in some other administrative role. On his return he later had his house named Laventie which I assume is a link to his time with the regiment and where I am lead to believe they had a HQ there. After the War he played a large role in the formation of a reunion ‘Dinners Club’ which held an annual dinner to commemorate the 61st Div, possible the HQ Staff specifically but I lack more information. Although he was presented with a gold watch from the club members that has the LXI engraved on it with the wording 182 Inf Bde, 61st Div.
I would love to find out more about his time with the regiment and his service career, I would very much appreciate it if anyone could increase my knowledge in anyway regarding his military life during or indeed after the war, perhaps someone recollects the reunion dinners club?
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