Robert Coates WALKER

12 October 1917

WALKER – Killed in action, Sept. 14th, Pte. R. Walker, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Walker, of Beech Mount, Cononley, aged 19.

12 October 1917

CONONLEY SOLDIER KILLED

Universal regret and sympathy was expressed in the village when it became known that official intimation from the War Office reported that Pte. Robert C. Walker had made the great sacrifice in France on Sept. 14th. Pte. Walker was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walker, of Beech Mount, Cononley. Mr. Walker is clerk to the Parish Council and well-known in the Skipton district, but now is engaged in the office of Messrs. Whitworth, Armstrong and Co. at Newcastle. Previous to joining the army, Pte. R. Walker had been for 12 months in the National Volunteer Corps, having joined the Crosshills company. Enlisting in February last in the 86th Training Reserve Battalion at Hornsea, he was transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers, and was drafted to France in June. Nothing had been heard from him since Sept. 12th, and as he was a very regular correspondent with his family, considerable anxiety was felt as to his safety. Reassuring news was received only this week, but all hope was dashed to the ground by the news received on Tuesday. Pte. Walker was formerly employed as shoe assistant in the Cononley Co-operative Society’s stores, but relinquished that position for a similar post at the Carleton (Skipton) Co-operative Stores. His popularity there was evinced by the presentation to him by the committee, on leaving their service to join the army, of a wristlet watch He was a most enthusiastic cricketer, playing with the Cononley team, and took a great interest in football. From his boyhood, when he attended the Cononley Council School. to his early and untimely death at 19 years of age, he was well-known for his invariably cheerful temperament, which soon won him golden opinion from all with whom he came in contact, in fact he was one of those whom we cannot afford to lose, but such is the sad toll inflicted by the war. He truly lived a good and noble life, and no doubt died a noble death. Should this meet the eye of any of the poor fellow’s comrades who could furnish more particulars of his death, his parents will be most sincerely grateful. Mr and Mrs. Walker have two other sons in the army, one, Percy, is in training, and another, Walter, joined in September, 1914, was drafted to France in June, 1915, returned to Sheffield War Hospital sick in November, 1915, and was again drafted to France in October. 1916, where he is at present, but is expected home for a short leave next week. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Walker and family in their sad loss.

19 October 1917

CONONLEY

THE LATE PTE. ROBT. C. WALKER

Mr. C. Walker, of Beech Mount, Cononley, has received the following letter from Pte. J. Wilkinson, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, respecting the death of his son, Pte. Robert (Bob) Walker:– “Dear Sir, – Just a few lines to let you know you have the deepest sympathy of all the boys of poor Bob’s platoon. He was such a good lad too. He was buried in one of the British cemeteries, and he has a nice cross over him. Poor Bob; I was surprised when they told me he had got hit. He lived for about five minutes. Your son was always cool, never grumbled, and he always did his duty. We both came out together. There were 20 of us. Well, sir, the boys send their deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement, so I think this is all just now. – From Bob’s pals.”

A simply but deeply impressive service was held on Sunday morning at St. John’s Church, Cononley, in memory of Pte. Robert Walker. The Rector read a lesson from the burial service, and his sermon paid a fine tribute to the splendid character and personality of the dead hero, who as a boy had been a chorister, and in other ways closely associated with the church. Special hymns, and the anthem ‘The souls of the righteous,’ were sung by the choir. Miss Turner (the organist) very sympathetically played the ‘Dead march,’ the congregation standing as a token of respect.

19 October 1917

CONONLEY

C. Percy Walker, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walker, has been promoted to lance-corporal.

Corporal ‘Jack’ Marston is at present home enjoying a short leave, and Pte. Walter Walker, brother of the late Pte. Robert Coates Walker, is also spending a short leave of absence at his home. Both are straight from the trenches in France.

Pte. Harry Wilson, brother of Sergt. Geo. Wilson, who was awarded the Military Medal a short time ago, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Wilson, Main Street. Cononley, has been brought to England from France suffering front wounds and trench feet. He is in Canterbury War Hospital and making satisfactory progress towards recovery.

06 September 1918

Cononley Casualties

Lance-Corpl. Chas. Percy Walker has been wounded somewhat badly by shrapnel in France, the shrapnel having pierced his neck and heel. He has been transferred to Orpington War Hospital in Kent, where his brother, Sec. Lieut. Walter Walker, on his way to France, hopes to see him during the week. This has added much to the sadness and anxiety of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Walker, who have already lost one son, Pte. Robt. Coates Walker, in France.

13 September 1918

In loving memory of Pte. R.C. Walker (Bob), aged 19 years, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Walker, Beech Mount, Cononley, who was killed in action Sept. 14th, 1917.

– Ever remembered by his Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.