More about Walter Duff

Walter has no known grave but is remembered on the Helles Memorial. He is believed to be the brother of  Driver James Duff, 635992, 231st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

Walter Duff   CZ/659   Royal Naval Division

DUFF―In loving remembrance of Walter Duff, R.N.D., killed in action on 4th June 1915. – Inserted by his parents, 2 Liff Road, Lochee.

Dundee People’s Journal 9th June 1917

Walter Duff was the son of Mr William Duff of 2 Liff Road, Dundee and was employed as a Yarn Dresser. In October 1914 he volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service in the Royal Naval Division. After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training. On completion he was drafted into the Collingwood Battalion serving in the Fourth Platoon of B Company. He was advanced to Able Seaman in early May 1915 before the Battalion left for Gallipoli. The Collingwood Battalion landed in Gallipoli in late May 1915 and took part in the Third Battle of Krithia on 4 June 1915. This was their first and last action because, as they advanced towards the enemy line, they were caught in heavy Turkish artillery and machinegun fire. The number of dead and wounded was very high and Walter Duff was listed as missing. Two of his comrades stated that Walter had been sent to the Anson Battalion one hour before the attack to assist their Machine Gun teams. However, despite further investigation by the survivors and the Foreign Office, in case he had been taken as a prisoner of war, Walter Duff was listed as killed in action. His body was not recovered and he is listed on the Helles Memorial on Gallipoli, Turkey. He had three brothers; George, William and James. The Collingwood Battalion was disbanded two days after the attack and the survivors were distributed to the other RND battalions to replace their losses.

Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie