Rollo Waldron Walker
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Rollo Waldron was born in 1891, the only child of Henry and Fanny Walker who may have married in 1890. Both his parents were born in 1867 in Nottingham. His father Henry was the son of William and Sarah Julia Walker (née Waldron) who in 1871 were living at Kirkwhite Street, Meadows, Nottingham, with their eight children including Henry (3). In 1901 Henry (33) a hosiery manufacturer (director), Fanny and their son Rollo (9) were living at 40 Millicent Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. They were still at the same address in 1911. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Henry, a retired hosiery manufacturer, and Fanny were living at 'Enderby,' Croft Road, Edwalton, Nottingham. Also in the household were a housekeeper and a general domestic servant. Henry died a few months later in December 1939. He and Fanny, who survived him, were still living at 'Enderby'. Both were buried in Edwalton Holy Trinity churchyard, Nottingham.
16th (County of London) Battalion London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles), formerly No. 6723. The London Regiment, an infantry regiment, was formed in 1908; the 16th Battalion was a Territorial Force battalion. Mobilised on the outbreak of war it served in France from 3 November 1914. On 19 February 1916 the battalion transferred to the 169th Brigade 56th (London) Division, which at that time was concentrated in the Hallencourt area. Rifleman Rollo Waldron Walker was killed in action on 14 April 1917, two days after the 56th (London) and 21st Division had captured the village of Heninel near Arras. He is buried in Bootham Cemetery, Heninel, France (grave ref. C.2). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Bootham Cemetery (extract): the village of Heninel is 10km from Arras. 'Heninel village was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Bootham Cemetery was named from a trench, which in turn was named from Bootham School in Yorkshire. It was made in April 1917 by the 56th Division Burial Officer.' 186 First World War burials. (www.cwgc.org)
Rollo's cousin, Lawrence Waldron Walker, the son of his father's older brother Sam (b. 1856) served in the 9th Bn Royal Fusiliers (B/23096 Lance Corporal) was killed in action in France on 4 August 1916. He is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Tranquil you lie your knightly virtue proved your memory hallowed.' Words from the first verse of the hymn, ‘O Valiant Hearts,’ from a poem by Sir John Stanhope Arkwright (1872-1954), published in ‘The Supreme Sacrifice and other Poems in Time of War’ (1919), music Harris. Inscription family headstone, Edwalton Holy Trinity: 'In loving memory of Henry Walker died 5th Decr. 1939 aged 72 years. Also Rollo Waldron, son of the above, killed in action 14th April 1917, aged 25 years. And Fanny Walker, beloved wife of Henry, died 3rd October 19(-) aged 92 years.' Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 14 April 1919: 'Walker. In ever loving remembrance of our dear son Rollo (QWR London Regiment) killed in action April 14th 1917.' Courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Henry Walker was his legatee. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 6 December 1939: ‘Walker. On December 5th, at Enderby, Croft-road, Edwalton, Henry, dearly loved husband of Fannie, aged 72 years. Interment Edwalton Church, Friday 12.15pm.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
