Walker, Robert. 1917

Robert Hugh Walker. Died 9 April 1917

Robert was from a wealthy family, his maternal grandfather described himself as a ‘landowner’ and the house was particularly well attended by many service staff.

Robert is yet another example of the talent and skills which were lost to this country and wasted on the battlefield. He attended Shrewsbury School in 1888 until 1891. After a five year apprenticeship with Marshall of Gainsborough, he was appointed by Neuchatel Asphalt Co as director of their mines at Travers near Neuchatel, where he worked until 1912. He continued with the company in Australia and later, Athens.

Following the outbreak of war, Robert obtained a Commission in the Seaforth Highlanders. He was earlier wounded at the Somme and was mentioned in Despatches.  The ninth battalion was  set up from the new servicemen recruited from the Kitchener campaign and were initially an engineering team, trained for battle. The ninth became renowned as a leading combat battalion by the end of the war. Robert was killed during the Battle of Arras, on April 9th 1917, whilst leading his company in a counter attack on a village in the face of very severe shell fire.

Robert, aged 42 left a wife, Ellen Mary, but as yet we have no record of any children.

From the Reading Mercury April 1917;        “Lt R H Walker was killed whilst leading his company in an attack on a village near Arras in the face of very severe  shell fire. Eldest son of Lt Col J B Walker late Royal Artillery, of Eythorne Wokingham he was educated at Shrewsbury school and served a 3 year apprenticeship with Messers Marshall bros.mechnical engineers in Gainsborough. In 1901 he was appointed a director by the Neuchatel Asphalte company of their asphalte mines at Travers ( switzerland) remaining there until 1912, subsequently serving the company in Australia and Athens. Soon after the outbreak of the war he came home and offered his  services to the war office being at once gazetted into the Seaforth Highlanders. He was 42 years of age and a good officer and popular with his fellow officers and men “

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission describe Robert’s death:

Name:WALKER, ROBERT HUGH Initials:R H

Nationality:United Kingdom

Rank:Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: Seaforth Highlanders Unit Text: 9th Battalion.

Age:42

Date of Death:09/04/1917

Additional information:Son of Lt. Col. J. B. Walker, of Eythorne, Wokingham, Berks.

Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:K. 20.Cemetery:STE. CATHERINE BRITISH CEMETERY

From www.1914-1918.net :

9th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Fort George in October 1914. Moved to Aldershot in November and on 3 December attached to 9th (Scottish) Division.
became Pioneer Battalion to same Division in early 1915 and moved to Rowledge (Farnham).
Landed at Boulogne on 10 May 1915.

 

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