Mounted Photograph
4 inches by 5 1/2 inches (10cm x 14.2 cm)
Unknown Photographer
Rawalpindi, India
c. 1895
Govier's service records state he enlisted with the 1st Battalion, the Rifle Brigade on 24 July 1879 at the age of 14. His rank was given as Boy. He transferred to the 3rd Battalion as a Boy on 24 September 1880. He was granted his first Good Conduct Pay on 25 July 1882.
Govier was promoted Private on 24 July 1882 after attaining the age of 17.
Appointed Musician - 16 July 1884
Appointed Acting Band Corporal - 14 May 1889
Promoted Band Corporal - 11 January 1896
Promoted Band Sergeant - 15 January 1897
Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal - 1 October 1899
Discharged as Band Sergeant - 30 April 1901
Govier's postings included:
Home: 24 July 1879 - 20 February 1885
Gibraltar: 21 February 1885 - 10 June 1886
Home: 11 June 1886 - 18 October 1887
Egypt: 19 October 1887 - 1 August 1888
South Africa: 2 August 1888 - 1 February 1889
India: 2 February 1889 - 9 April 1901
Home: 10 April 1901 - 30 April 1901
Govier married Miss Ellen Mary Clarke at Christ Church, Surrey on 6 July 1886. They have at least two children, Mabel Florence born on 26 June. 1896 and Walter Leslie was born on 2 February 18, 1900.
Another Sergeant serving with the 3rd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade the same time as Walter Edward Govier was one No. 5525 Sergeant Harry Govier, also a "Son of the Regiment". These two men appear to have been brothers as mentioned above.
After leaving the colours Govier became the principal attendant at the War Office Library and authored a memoir titled Family Recollections: Memoirs of a Victorian Soldier. This memoir was published by Eric Price in 1993.
At the time of his discharge Govier was listed as being 35 years, 7 months old, and 4 feet, 10 1/2 inches tall. He seems to have had grown a bit since the above photograph was taken.
Govier returned to service with the Rifle Brigade during World War I. His medal index card lists him at his former rank of Band Sergeant and as being entitled to the Meritorious Service Medal.
Walter Edward Govier passed away on 17 December 1947 in Buckinghamshire.
Govier's officer, Colonel the Hon, Montagu "Monny" Curzon was born on 21 September 1846 being the eldest son of Richard Curzon-Howe, 1st Earl Howe, by his second wife Anne, daughter of Vice-Admiral Sir John Gore.
2nd Lieutenant, 98th Regiment of Foot - 10 November 1865
Transferred to the Rifle Brigade - 10 November 1865
Lieutenant - 19 January 1870
Captain - 2 March 1878
Major - 9 April 1882
Lieutenant Colonel - 15 October 1893
Colonel - 15 October 1897
Half-Pay - 15 October 1897
Retired - 25 March 1903
The Rifle Brigade Chronicle mentions Curzon serving in Canada during the Fenian Raids and being entitled to the Canada General Service Medal with the "Fenian Raid 1866" clasp. He was in command of the 3rd Battalion under Sir William Lockhart with the Tochi Valley Field Force and received the 1895-1902 India General Service Medal with the "Punjab Frontier 1897-98" Clasp as well as being mentioned in despatches.
Curzon married Esmé Fitzroy the daughter of Francis Horatio Fitzroy of Frogmore Park, Blackwater, Hants in 1886. They had one son and one daughter.
He served in Parliament for Leicestershire North from 1883 until 1885 when the constituency was abolished.
The Chronicle states that Curzon's health was for all intents ruined during his time in the Tochi Valley but as was so common at the time he soldiered on and "persistently declined to admit that aught was the matter with him." He died suddenly on 1 September 1907 at his home, Garats-Hay,
Loughborough - after attending a meeting of the County Council and playing an afternoon round of croquet.