After South Africa Anniss deployed to India with his battalion and finished out his enlistment of 21 years, being discharged at the Lahore Cantonment on 29 January 1914.

 

His discharge papers stated that he was entitled to the Long Service & Good  Conduct Medal as well as the 1911 Delhi Durbar Medal. He was also in possession of a 1st Class Education Certificate, a 1st Class Certificate of Gymnastics, a Certificate of Musketry, and a Sobriety Certificate.

During his 21 years with the colours Anniss had only one entry on the regimental defaulter's book and that was for neglect of duty while on guard while stationed on Malta - 11 November 1896 for which he was "severely reprimanded".

According to his service papers, Anniss married Emily Annie Bolton on 5 August 1911 with the ceremony taking -place in Isleworth, Middlesex. This was while Anniss was still stationed in India so he must have received approval for leave to return to England to get married. In any event his first child - a son named Robert - was born in Ambala, India on 23 May 1912. He would also have one daughter Annie Evelyn who was born in England on 7 May 1914.

Less than a year would pass between Walter Anniss' retirement and the outbreak of World War One. He volunteered and joined the 6th (service) Battalion of the Queen's Royal West
Surrey Regiment at his former rank with the regimental number G/1207. He deployed to France with the Expeditionary Force on 1 June 1915.

 

His battalion took over a relatively quiet sector of the line beginning at Ploegsteert Wood and eventually extending some 7000 yards south to Armentieres. Even here the battalion was to suffer over 500 casualties in July. Walter Anniss was one of those being wounded on 25 July 1915. He died the following day.

At the time of his death, Anniss held the rank of Company Sergeant-Major. His medal index card states that he was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

Company Sergeant-Major Walter Anniss was buried at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery and Extension in Bailleul, France.

This photograph was taken in 1904 and inscribed on the reverse by Walter Annis - "To Sister & Brother, Pat & Will. From Wal, Sitapur, 30. 12. 04."

Cabinet Photograph
G. W. Lawrie. - Photographer
Lucknow, Naini Tal, Bareilly, and Ranikhet India
30 December 1904