Walter Staveley (1921-2005) was born on 26th January 1921 at 35 Cardigan Mount, Kirkstall, Leeds as shown in the photograph above. Walter is the first child of his parents Walter Boynton Staveley (1896-1972) and Ruby Millicent Staveley (1894-1970). The photographs below show him as a small baby and at around the age of three.

In 1927 Walter gets his first school report praising him for his excellent English lesson skills and noting that he is very weak at arithmetic. The report also states “He is a very eager worker, especially in English. He answers very well in oral lessons. Is very intelligent”. Like many children in those days he collected stamps and built up a pretty large and impressive cigarette card collection.

Walter’s school reports continue to be good throughout his education. When he leaves school he decides to become an electrician and signs up for an apprenticeship with a local electrical firm. The war interrupts this and Walter Staveley is called out for military service on 22nd September 1939. He is 18 years old. His call up papers instruct him to bring a civilian gas mask and report for duty at the Gibraltar Barracks.

Walter was fortunate in that he was flat footed and not suitable as a foot soldier. Without doubt his experience as an electrician helped him to secure a place as a signalman and subsequently served with the Royal Corp of Signals. At the tender age of 18 he is drafted into the army and by 1941 he is on his way to Egypt to play his part in World War II.

On Saturday 29th June 1940 he is aboard the SS Mauretania II which is steaming off to a destination that is not known to those on board. You can follow his progress by watching a video or reading his dairy of the World War II Convoy.

Walter spent the entire war in the Middle East as a signalman with the Eighth Army in the North Africa Campaign. During this time he found himself for the most part in Egypt but also having been in Jordan, Libya and Iraq. He took quite a few photographs along the way, images of war and every day sights. Photos 1940-1944. Also a small UK selection.

By early 1944 it is becoming very clear that Germany is going to lose the war so preparations are underway to plan for soldiers to return to civilian duties and Walter is placed on a course in Electrical Engineering which he completes in December 1944.In 1945 he is posted to Germany and spends some time there prior to being sent back to the UK in April 1946. He receives his Release Papers on 16th April 1946.

Walter’s notification of impending release from military duties states: “ This man is a trustworthy and steady worker who carries out his duties efficiently without supervision”.

Walter becomes a member of the Royal Signals Association in Leeds on 7th November 1947 and regularly attends functions. From 1946 until 1948 Walter Staveley is being paid by the Ministry of Labour and National Service a full time electricians wage to continue his apprenticeship, to effectively pick up where he left off before the war.

Rationing is still in place and even by 1950 Walter has a ration book for fuel for his motorbike. Walter did not want to continue his career as an electrician. In 1952 he is applying for a position as a Civilian Wireless Operator Admiralty. He is still living in Leeds at this time. In October 1952 he takes a morse test and interview in Scarborough. In December 1952 he signs the Official Secrets Act. Walter Staveley finally ends up being transferred to Cheltenham.

Walter is now working for the Government Communications Headquarters in Cheltenham where he will remain for the rest of his working life. This same year he applies for an International Driving License and plans a trip through Europe with a friend on their motorbikes. Tour Photos.

Walter tours Europe on his motorbike and takes many photos along the way. In 1954 Walter met Ruth Beck at a dance at Cheltenham Town Hall. They became officially engaged on a day out to Bourton on the Water near Cheltenham and were married 6 weeks afterwards on 24th August 24th 1957 at Cheltenham Parish Church.

Ruth Mary Staveley ( nee Beck ) can be seen with her father Wilfred Beck and mother Edith Beck ( nee Marshall ) to her immediate right. We have a separate and full family tree for the Becks and the Marshalls. You can find more information about the Beck’s here.

Ruth Staveley moved around a lot as a child due to Wildred’s work as a commercial traveller or furniture sales representative as he might be called today. He was one of the few people who had a car in those days and he particularly liked the Morris 8.

Ruth worked at Dowty’s in Tewkesbury and for the Coal Board at Stoke Orchard. In 1958 Walter was given the opportunity to work in Singapore. Ruth and Walter sailed from Southampton on the 23rd August 1958 and lived at 3 Poulden Court in Singapore until their return. Their first son was born in Singapore on the 2nd of December in 1960.

Their daughter Julie was born in 1962 and Catherine in 1965. From 1966 – 1969 the family were in Hong Kong where Walter was employed on another overseas tour. Matthew their fourth and last child was born in Hong Kong in 1967.

After a three year tour the family travelled back to England on the cruise ship “SS Oronsay“.If you have ever wondered what daily life and entertainment on a cruise ship in the late 1960’s might have looked like then step aboard the Oronsay!

The family disembarked some six weeks later at the Port of Southampton. They travelled by train to London and caught a black cab back to Cheltenham. The house in Delabere Road ( which had been rented ) was vacant and waiting for them when they returned. The Staveley family now settled down to life in England.

Walter continued to work at GCHQ Cheltenham and would sometimes travel to work on his Honda 90 during the summer months. He was a keen gardener and enjoyed the occasional tipple at “The Apple Tree” or “The Swallow” in Bishops Cleeve. Ruth would work at the Civil Aviation Authority until she retired and she was a keen dancer. After her retirement she would attend dancing classes and had many certificates to show for it.

The children would grow up in Bishops Cleeve and attend the local schools. Walter Staveley passed away in September 2005 and Ruth Staveley joined him in September 2014. Sadly missed by their 4 children and families.

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