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| Casualty No.: |
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Ranks: |
Fusilier |
Initials: |
W |
Service No.: |
4270454 |
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| Date of Birth : |
- |
Place of Birth : |
Crawcrook, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham. |
Age at Death: |
25 |
|
| Unit: |
4th Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. |
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| Place Enlisted: |
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| Place of Residence: |
Prudhoe, Northumberland |
| Home Address: |
19 Prospect Terrace, Halfway, Prudhoe, Northumberland. |
| Previous Address: |
3 Belle Vue, Terrace, Crawcrook, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham. |
| Civilian Employment: |
Miner at Mickley Colliery. Former miner at Clara Vale Colliery. |
| How Died: |
Killed in action |
| Date of Death: |
Friday 31st May 1940 |
| Place of Death: |
Belgium |
| Battle/Campaign: |
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| Locally Commemorated: |
- |
| UK Commemorated: |
St. George's Church War Memorial, Mickley, Northumberland. |
| Overseas Commemorated: |
- |
| Buried: |
Adinkerke Military Cemetery, Furnes, De Panne, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. |
| Decoration and Medals: |
1939-45 Star. War Medal. |
| Photographs: |
1 |
| Service Records: |
No |
| Death Notice/Obituary: |
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, In Memoriam; 1st May 1944 and 31st May 1945. |
| Family Details: |
Son of Mary Ann Hardy and the late Robert Walker, and stepson of James Hardy, of 3 Belle Vue Terrace, Crawcrook, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Husband of Minnie Walker (nee Pattinson) of 19 Prospect Terrace, Halfway, Prudhoe, Northumberland.
Two children: Billy, and John.
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| Notes : |
Comrades of William's visited his mother to return personal items that had been retrieved and to explain that Private James Brown had erected a cross over her son's grave.
William's father, Robert Walker, had been killed in action on 15th September 1916, during World War 1 whilst serving with the Durham Light Infantry. Three uncles also lost their lives during the Great War. Joseph Walker was killed in action in November 1915, whilst serving with the Royal Naval Division. Thomas and David Orr were both killed in action, June 1917 and April 1915 respectively, whilst serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers.
William's step father James Hardy, had been seriously wounded during World War 1 whilst serving with the Royal Marines. On his return home he could no longer work underground at Clara Vale Colliery, so he was given a job on the screens.
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| Sources Used: |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register.
Army Roll of Honour, 1939-45.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Roll of Honour, 28th June 1940.
Blaydon Courier.
Information from family member.
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