Walter Malkin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Walter Malkin was the third of 4 sons born to Frederick and Annie Malkin. He was born in 1874 in Worksop, like his three brothers. His siblings included Frederick John born 1866, Charles born 1870, and John Albert born 1877, Their father, Fred was a lifelong boot and shoe maker. By the 1881 census, their family was complete and were living at at Potter Street in Worksop and by 1891 they had moved to number 30 Marecroft. In 1894, Walter, aged 20, enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters and remained so until he was time expired. It was in 1907, that Frederick Malkin died in Worksop age 66. By 1911, Walter was still single and living as a boarder at 4 Plants Yard, 4 Court, Bridge Street, Worksop, the head of house being 51 year old married woman Ann Marsden. Although Walter never married, he later continued living with Ann Marsden at 32 Abbey Street and after his death, the property of Walter Malkin was forwarded to Ann Marsden of 32 Abbey Street. In an army form, headed Statement of names of relatives of Walter Malkin, it read, “Widow of soldier, Ann Marsden and relationship 'as wife' of 25 Langley Street, Worksop dated 22 April 1919".
Drummer Walter Malkin Worksop Guardian 17 September 1915 Among the brave who have fallen in the fierce fighting in the Dardanelles is Drummer Walter Malkin, 9th Sherwood Forester, of 32 Abbey Street, Worksop and son of Mrs Malkin, Thorpe Hesley, near Rotherham and brother of Sergt Malkin of the Worksop Territorials. Drummer Malkin had an adventurous career. He had long served as a soldier and was a time expired man when he rejoined to fight against the brutal Germans. Worksop people will remember him best by reason of his association with the old Town Band, of which organisation he was a drummer, a most picturesque and useful asset. It was a spectacle worth seeing to witness him marching along with the big drum slung in front of him and swinging his sticks in masterly fashion. As a drummer he knew his business as well as any drum major in the Army. Malkin enlisted in the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters in 1894 and in the following year he was drafted out to India. He fought all through the Tirah campaign and was at Dargai. He received the medal and two clasps. Altogether Malkin spent six years in India. Then came the South African War, in which his regiment took part, being drafted from Aden to Malta and thence to Africa. He received the South African medal and three clasps, with which trophies he returned home to Worksop, having completed his time. It was then when he joined the Town Band. He obtained work at Shireoaks Colliery and was so engaged when Lord Kitchener sounded his trumpet for recruits. Like an old war horse impatient for the fray, Drummer Malkin, despite his 42 years joined the 9th Battalion Sherwood Forester, at Worksop Town Hall and sailed for the Dardanelles on July 1st on the Empress of Britain. He took part in the fighting there, doing his duty manfully and courageously and was killed on August 4th. Official news was received by his mother on September 4th. Mrs Malkin last heard of him on July 27th up to which date he was uninjured. Drummer Malkin had numerous friends in the town many of whom will remember him as a volunteer in the old days, when the volunteers encamped on the Plain Piece. He possessed many good qualities, and fell doing his duty like a brave and gallant man.
Buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Gallipoli. Research by Colin Dannatt
