23rd Battalion, New Zealand Infantry (New Zealand Army)
Date Of Birth:
16/03/1904
Died:
11/12/1941 (Killed in Action)
Age:
37
Summary
Private Walter Thomas Duff the son of William James Duff and Sara Jane Duff, of Hanover Square, Coagh, Co. Tyrone, and husband of Ella Duff. Mrs. Sarah Duff was a teacher at Coagh National School. He served with the New Zealand Infantry in Greece when they withdrew in April 1941. The New Zealand Infantry fought throughout the Western Desert Campaign in the Summer and Winter of 1941.Walter Thomas Duff was killed in action on 11th December 1941, aged 37.
Further Information
Walter Thomas Duff was the eldest son of William James Duff and Sara Jane Duff. William Duff and Sara Jane Davison were married on 6th February 1900 in the district of Magherafelt.
Walter Thomas Duff was born on 16th March 1904 in Coagh. He was one of at least five children. All the children were born in Coagh.
Known family: William James Duff, Sara Jane Duff, Evelyn Martha Duff (born 27th November 1902), Walter Thomas Duff (born 16th March 1904), Dorothy Margaret Muriel Duff (born 22nd June 1906), William Davison Duff (born 5th October 1909), Robert Duff (born 1st December 1913).
The 1911 census lists Walter as age 7 living with the family at house 15 in Hanover Street, Coagh.
His father was a mill manager and an Inspector of Fisheries. His mother was a National School Teacher at Coagh National School.
Walter Duff emigrated to New Zealand.
At some point he married Ella Duff.
Prior to enlisting he worked as a malt-house hand in Wellington. He was living in the Metropolitan Hotel, Wellington.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Mrs E. Duff, whose address was given as: c/o J.E. Davidson, Sutherlands, Pleasant Point, South Canterbury, New Zealand
Private Duff served with the New Zealand Infantry in Greece when they withdrew in April 1941. The New Zealand Infantry fought throughout the Western Desert Campaign in the summer and winter of 1941.
Private Walter Thomas Duff was serving with the 23rd Battalion of the New Zealand Infantry when he was killed in action on 11th December 1941.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 17th January 1942: Roll of Honour
DUFF – December 1941, killed in action in the Middle East, Private Walter C Duff, second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, eldest and dearly loved son of Mrs S J Duff and the late W J Duff, The Square, Coagh, and beloved husband of Ellen Duff. Deeply regretted.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 12th December 1942:
DUFF – 11th December 1941, killed in action in the Middle East, Private Walter T Duff, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, beloved eldest son of the late W J Duff, and of Mrs Duff, Hanover Square, Coagh, County Tyrone, ‘Until the day break And the shadows flee away.’
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 11th December 1943: Roll of Honour
DUFF – December 1941, killed in action near Libya. Walter T Duff, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, loved eldest son of the late W J Duff, and of Mrs Duff, Hanover Square, Coagh. ‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember him.’
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th December 1944: Roll of Honour
DUFF – Treasured memories of Water T Duff, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, killed in action in the Middle East, eldest beloved son of the late William J Duff and of Mrs Duff, Hanover Square, Coagh, Cookstown. ‘Until the day breaks.’
Private Walter Duff has no known grave and is commemorated at Alamein Memorial in Egypt.
The CWGC record Private Walter Thomas Duff as the son of William James Duff and Sara Jane Duff, of Coagh, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, He is also record as being the husband of Ella Duff.
