Ernest Walker
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Ernest was the son of Herbert and Winifred Walker (née Bacon). His father Herbert was born in Mansfield in about 1867 and his mother Winifred in South Normanton, Derbyshire, in about 1872. They were married at St Michael, South Normanton, in 1888 (reg. J/A/S Mansfield) and had a numerous family the eldest of whom was Ernest who was born in South Normanton in 1889 (J/F/M). In 1901 Herbert (34), a coal miner, and Winifred (31) were living on Priestic Road, Sutton in Ashfield, with Ernest (12) and his siblings Elsie, Arthur, Agnes and Ethel. Ernest married Emily Jane Proctor on 1 October 1910 (reg. Mansfield). Emily was born in Scarcliffe, Derbyshire, on 22 November 1889, the daughter of Benjamin and Emily Proctor who had 14 children, seven of whom died in infancy or childhood. Ernest and Emily had three children, one of whom died in infancy: Gladys b. 19 January 1911, Emily b. 1913 (O/N/D) d. 1915 (A/M/J) and Ernest Eric b. 6 January 1915 (d. 1992). In 1911 Ernest, a coal hewer, and Emily together with their daughter Gladys (2m.) were living on High Street, Huthwaite, with Emily's mother, Emily Proctor. Emily's mother was married but head of household. Also in the home were three of Emily Walker's siblings and two boarders. At the time of Ernest's death in 1918 the family was living at Rex Villa, Leyton Avenue, Skegby, and this was still Emily's address when the later CWGC record was compiled. Emily married secondly George Hadfield in 1919 (A/M/J Mansfield) and they had at least three children: George b. 9 November 1919 (d. 2002), Gerald b. 1923 (k. 17 June 1944) and John b. 7 January 1924. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Emily and George (b. 5 December 1895), a coal hewer, were living at 1 Leyton Avenue, with their son John, an errand boy (newspaper office). The record of one other member of the household remains closed. Emily died in 1949. Their son Gerald served in the RAFVR (1047949 Sergeant), 102 Squadron, and was killed on 17 June 1944 (Buren General Cemetery, Netherlands). He left a wife, Mavis (née Godber, m. 1943).
1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). Enlisted 8th February 1915. Ernest saw service in the Dardanelles and Egypt before he was posted to France. He was seriously wounded in the back by shell shrapnel on 30 September 1918. He was admitted to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station at Brie at 10pm and died at 11.50pm the same evening. He was buried on October 1st in Brie British Cemetery, France (grave ref. III. E. 1). According to a history of the Battalion, it spent 30 September in dug-outs and trenches 'in the region of our objective the previous day, between Bellenglise and Lehaucourt.' The list of casualties shows only three on 30 September, including Company Sergeant Major JF Rawlings, who had been wounded the previous day, and 15892 Private Thomas Johnson. (See records on this Roll of Honour). CWGC - Brie British Cemetery (extract): 'On 18-20 March 1917, Commonwealth troops repaired the bridge and took the village of Brie during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. The village and the bridge were later lost on 23 March 1918, during the German offensive, but were regained on 5 September when the 32nd Division cleared the village. The cemetery was begun by Commonwealth units after the second occupation of the village and taken over by the 5th, 47th and 48th Casualty Clearing Stations, which were posted at Brie in September and October before being moved on along the St. Quentin road to Bihecourt, near Vermand. It was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields east and south of Brie and the following cemeteries [listed].'
Notts Free Press - 25th October 1918. Leaving the Silver Hill Colliery - where he was always a good, hardworking and straightforward lad - L.-Cpl. Ernest Walker, of Leyton Avenue, Skegby, joined the army on February 8th 1915, and saw service in the Dardanelles and Egypt before he was transferred to France. After passing through many battles for three years and seven months without a scratch, he died on September 30th from shell wounds received in action, and was buried on October 1st - the date on which he was married eight years ago. He ws 29 years of age, and leaves a wife and two children. Mrs Walker has received the following letter :- "It is my sad duty to write you of your dear huband's death. Lance-Corporal E.Walker, 23041. He was admitted to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station at 10pm on September 30th and died at 11.50pm the same evening. He was very severely wounded in the back and was unconscious, so could leave no message. It may comfort you a little to know that he did not suffer. He had every care and attention and everything was done for his comfort. He will be buried in a British Cemetery. I feel for you very much in your sad loss and pray God may comfort you. With deepest sympathy. - Matron" WW1 Pension Ledgers: Emily was awarded a pension of 25 shillings and 5 pence a week for herself and two children, payable from 14 April 1919. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow was his sole legatee
