Walter Ambrose Sterling was one of the youngest recorded military casualties of World War I. He was born on *March 8, 1904, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Wesley and Margaret Sterling.

### Military Service

Despite his young age, Walter enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a Private 2nd Class (Service Number: 310462). During World War I, it was not uncommon for underage boys to join the military, sometimes with falsified documents or parental consent.

### Death and Burial

Tragically, Walter died of pneumonia on November 5, 1918, just six days before the war ended. He was only 14 years old at the time and was stationed at RAF Woking, Surrey, England. His early death highlights the harsh conditions that young recruits faced during the war.

He was buried in Shankill Graveyard, Belfast, along the west wall. His gravestone bears the inscription:

"For ever with the Lord."

### Legacy

Walter Ambrose Sterling’s story stands as a heartbreaking reminder of the youth who served and perished during the war. His name is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)*, and his grave remains a historical site commemorating his short but significant life.