William Percy Walker
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Percy Walker was born in 1886 and was the son of William and Betsy Walker née Baggaley of 39 Portland Street, Newark. His father William was born in about 1863 at Nottingham and his mother Betsy Baggaley was born in about 1865 at Newark. They were married in 1885 (reg. Newark) and had the following children, William Percy b1886 Farndon and his seven siblings who were born in Newark, Jesse Harold b1888, Zillah Gertrude b1891, Albert Edward b1895, Francis Victor b1897, May Vera b1898, Clarence Herbert b1900 and Reginald Rupert b1903. In the 1911 census the family was living at 77 Bowbridge Road, Newark, and shown as William (48), a hairdresser, his wife Betsy (46) and their children, William Percy (24) a hairdresser, Jesse Harold (22) a telegraphist and sorting clerk, Zillah Gertrude (20) a shop assistant and Albert Edward (15), Francis Victor (13), May Vera (12), Clarence Herbert (11) and Reginald Rupert (7) who were all of school age. The family home was at 39 Portland Street, Newark, when Jesse Harold attested in 1914 and this was given as his parents' address on the later CWGC record. According to a newspaper report of William's death in 1917, his brothers Francis and Jesse also served in the war. Francis Victor may have served with the Lancashire Fusiliers (37214 Private), qualifying for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Jesse Harold, a telegraphist, attested on 31 December 1914 aged 26, and served in the Royal Engineers (Sapper 72542). He embarked Avonmouth on 10 April 1915 for the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, landing at Cape Helles on 28 April. He was admitted to No. 25 Casualty Clearing Station, Imbros, suffering from diarrhoea on 9 July and discharged on 23 July. On 9 October 1915 he was attached to 9 Corps Signal Company Suvla but returned to GHQ Signal Company on 9 November. He was serving in Palestine by June 1917 and was with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in 1919 when he embarked at Port Said for the UK on 8 March for discharge. Jesse was Mentioned in Despatches; the certificate was sent to him at his home in New Balderton, Newark, in January 1921.
Private William Percy Walker enlisted on 13th March 1916 at Newark. He served with 'A' company 2/10th battalion The King's Liverpool Regiment . William died at No. 54 Casualty Clearing Station on 30 June 1917 from gunshot wounds to the abdomen, chest and legs received the same day. He is buried in Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension, Nord, France (grave ref. IV.A.5). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension (extract): The town of Estaires is about 11km from Armentieres. 'Estaires town was occupied by French cavalry on the 15 October 1914, and passed at once into British hands. On the 10 April 1918 it was captured by the enemy, after an obstinate defence by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division; and it was finally retaken by British troops at the beginning of September 1918. The town was a Field Ambulance centre as early as November 1914, and later the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station was posted in it ... Estaires Communal Cemetery was used for British burials from the early days of November 1914 to June 1917 ... Estaires Communal Cemetery Extension was used from April 1917 to April 1918, and again in September-November 1918. The Plots are numbered IV and V, in continuation of the numbering for the Communal Cemetery.' (www.cwgc.org) No. 54 Casualty Clearing Station: based at Merville, Nord, from March 1915, relocated in January 1918. (www.longlongtrail)
Report published 4th July 1917 in the Newark Advertiser:- 'Eldest son of William & Betsy Walker, 39 Portland Street, Newark. When war broke out he was assisting his father at the old established hairdressing and shaving establishment, Beaumond Cross. He was very popular with the customers and managed the downstairs saloon. Admitted to hospital at 1.30 a.m. with gunshot wounds to the abdomen, chest and legs and died at 11.30 a.m. the same day without regaining consciousness. Has two brothers serving: The youngest, Frank [Francis], being in hospital in England suffering from wounds and Jesse Harold, who is in Palestine, he has been at the Dardanelles, having been away from home for two years and three months.'
