Main CPGW Record
Surname: WALKER
Forename(s): George Edward
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 119
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Australian Machine Gun Corps
Battalion / Unit: 21st Machine Gun Coy
Division: 1st Australian Division
Age: 32
Date of Death: 1917-09-21
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Addenda Panel 58.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
George Edward Walker was the son of George and Mary Walker, née Owen. George, senior, was born at Gargrave, Yorkshire and Mary at Whittington, Shropshire.
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 22, Westgate - George Walker, aged 4 years, born Skipton, son of George and Mary Walker.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 53, Eastgate - George Edward Walker, aged 15 years, born Skipton, son of George and Mary Walker.
George's Army Record stated that he was buried in Belgian Battery Corner Military Cemetery but this was later proved to be only a memorial cross.
The image of the cap badge also shows the colour patch of the unit.
Australian service records: www.naa.gov.au › The collection › Popular research topics › Defence › Service records
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
WALKER, George E., Australian Imperial Forces, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Walker, 5, Water Street, Skipton, killed in action Sept. 21, 1917.
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Private George Edward WALKER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Australian Machine Gun Corps
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 1st Australian Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
05 October 1917
WALKER – Killed in action in Glencoise [Glencorse] Wood, on September 21st Pte. George E. Walker, M.G.C., Australian Imperial Forces, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Walker, 5, Water Street, Skipton.
05 October 1917
SKIPTON ‘AUSTRALIAN’ KILLED – PRIVATE G E. WALKER
Mr. and Mrs. George Walker, of Water Street, Skipton, received news on Saturday of the death in action of their son, Pte. G. E. Walker, of the Australian Imperial Forces. Thirty-two years of age, Pte. Walker had been out in Australia about seven years when war broke out and immediately joined up and fought in Gallipoli and Egypt before being transferred to France. He received a bullet wound in the chest last November and had only been back in the trenches about three months. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have two other sons in hospital – Pte. Richard Walker suffering from gas poisoning in France, and Pte. Harold Walker with a broken arm in London.
The sad news was conveyed to the bereaved parents in the following letter from Lieut. W. C. Hawke:– “Just a short note to convey to you my sincerest sympathy and regret in the loss of your son, Pte. G. E. Walker. He was killed in action instantaneously by a shell at ----- on the 21st September 1917. I would like to express my appreciation of your boy’s cheerfulness. He was ever ready to do his duty thoroughly and well, either in the firing line, or when back in less dangerous areas. It is sad for you all, but console yourselves with the thoughts of ‘Duty’s Call’ nobly answered. He was buried with a comrade, and a wooden cross suitably inscribed marks the spot.”
20 September 1918
WALKER – In loving memory of Corporal George Edward Walker, Australian Machine Gun Section, who was killed in Belgium, September 20th, 1917.
And we know that he is safe in that beautiful land,
And Father, we bow to Thy will;
But oh! for a touch of the vanished hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still.
From Mother, Father, Sister and Brothers; also Dick in France.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
05 October 1917
WALKER – Killed in action in Glencoise [Glencorse] Wood, on Sept. 21st, Pte. Geo. D. Walker, Australian Imperial Forces, M.G.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Walker, 5, Water Street, Skipton.
05 October 1917
SKIPTON
PRIVATE G. E. WALKER KILLED IN ACTION
News has been received that Pte. George E. Walker, of the Australian Imperial Forces, Machine Gun Section, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Walker, of 5, Water Street, Skipton, was killed in action on Sept. 21st.
In a letter to his parents, Lieut. H.C. Hawkes writes:– “Just a short note to convey to you my sincerest sympathy and regret in the loss of your son, Pte. G.E. Walker. He was killed in action instantaneously by a shell in Glencoise Wood on the 21st Sept., 1917. Writing to you as your son’s section officer, I would like to express my appreciation of your boy’s cheerfulness and ever ready to do his duty thoroughly and well, either in the firing line or when back in the less dangerous areas. It is sad for you all, but console yourselves with the thought of ‘duty call’ nobly answered. He was buried with a comrade, and a wooden cross suitably inscribed marks the spot.”
Pte. Walker, who is 32 years of age, went out to Australia about seven years ago, and joined up at the outbreak of the war. He fought at the Dardanelles and in Egypt before coming to France, and was wounded by a bullet in the chest last year. He was admitted to hospital at Epsom, and had only been back in France about three or four months. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have two other sons serving, both of whom are at present in hospital [as] the result of wounds. Pte. Richard Walker is suffering from gas poisoning and bad legs and is in hospital in France, and Pte. Harold Walker is in hospital at London with a badly broken arm.
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