Ernest Walker
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Ernest was the second son of John and Harriett Walker (née Rigby). His father was born in Leymoor, Derbyshire, and his mother in Whittington, Derbyshire. They were married at Radford St Peter, Nottingham, on 28 December 1889 and had five children: Elizabeth Ann b. Whittington 4 May 1890 bap. Nottingham Holy Trinity 4 December 1895; George b. Claycross Derbyshire 1891 bap Claycross 9 July 1891; Ruth Mabel b. Nottingham 7 November 1892 bap. Holy Trinity 4 December 1895; Ernest b. Nottingham 27 March 1895 bap. Holy Trinity 4 December 1895 and Arthur Leopold b. Stapleford 7 July 1903 (d. 1986). In 1891 John (26) an iron moulder, with his wife Harriet (25) and their daughter Elizabeth (under one year) were visitors in the household of George Henry and Rebecca Statham who lived in Claycross. Their first son George was born in Claycross and baptised in the parish church in July 1891, suggesting that John and Harriett had settled in the town. However, their second daughter Ruth was born in Nottingham in November 1892 and they were living at 3 Rotary Yard, Nottingham, in 1895, presumably in the parish of Holy Trinity where three of their children were baptised that year. By 1901 the family had moved to Eaton Road, Stapleford: John, still working as an iron moulder, Harriett, Elizabeth (10), George (9), Ruth (8) and Ernest (3). The fifth child, Arthur, was born two years later. John and Harriet were living at 3 Edward Street, Stapleford, in 1911. All five children were in the home on the night of the census: Elizabeth a lace hand, George a general labourer, Ruth of no occupation, Ernest a lace threader and Arthur (7) who was still at school. The later CWGC record gives Ernest's parents' address as 18 Derby Road, Stapleford. However, the CWGC record does not mention his wife Annie E. (née Froggatt b. 1 August 1897), residence Alkerton (probably Alfreton), Derbyshire, whose relationship appears in the Register of Soldiers' Effects and WW1 Pension Ledgers. She and Ernest were married in 1916 (Edmonton Herts & Middx) and an 'In Memoriam' notice in the Stapleford & Sandiacre News in 1919 also names a daughter, Marjorie. This might be Marjorie A Walker birth registered 1917 (J/F/M Shardlow) mother's maiden name Froggatt. The child was not named as a dependant on the WW1 Pension Ledgers record which gives Annie's address as Alexandra Street and later 52 Brooks Street, Ilkeston.
'A' Anti-Aircraft Battery Royal Garrison Artillery Ernest Walker died of wounds at No. 12 Stationary Hospital, France, on 29 October 1918 and was buried in St Pol British Cemetery, St Pol-sur-Ternoise, Pas de Calais, France (grave ref. II.C.8) CWGC - St Pol British Cemetery (extract): 'St. Pol-sur-Ternoise was a military administrative centre during the whole of the First World War and was taken over by Commonwealth troops from the French in March 1916. No.12 Stationary Hospital was posted on the race-course near the town from 1 June 1916 to 1 June 1919. St. Pol British Cemetery was begun in March 1918, when the extension to the communal cemetery was almost full; the last burial was made in July 1920.'
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'A hero's grave' CWGC: 'Son of John and Harriett Walker, of 18, Derby Rd., Stapleford, Notts.' Stapleford & Sandiacre News, ‘In Memoriam’, 31 October 1919: ‘Walker. In memory of Pte Ernest Walker (late of Stapleford), who died of wounds in France, Oct. 29th, 1918. I hoped for a safe returning. Once more to clasp his hand; But God postponed the meeting, T'will be in the better land. From his loving Wife Annie and Child Marjorie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: this newspaper was not published until 1919. Additional Research by David Nunn
