Walker, Glbert Russell

WALKER,

GILBERT RUSSELL

BORN 7 MAY 1880

Gilbert Russell Walker was

born on 7 May 1880 in Long Ashton, son of Joseph Arthur Walker, (b 1853 in Hackney, Middlesex), and Sarah Ellen Walker, (née Setchfield b 1857 in Norton , Yorkshire). At this time the family lived at Firtree Cottage, Long Ashton.

Joseph and Sarah were married on 22 August 1878 in York. Gilbert had a younger brother Wilfred Arthur Walker (b 1882) and a younger sister Gertrude Nellie Walker (b 1885). All three children were born in Long Ashton.

In 1891, the family lived at The Chestnuts, Long Ashton and the father was a Land Steward.

Gilbert, aged 11, and Wilfred, aged 9 both joined the school at the same time on 16 September 1891 and stayed until July 1894. Wilfred attended Dulwich College from April 1896 to December 1898.

Census records show that by 1901 Sarah Ellen was widowed and Gilbert was Articled in a Surveyor’s Office. Gilbert married Eliza Mary Fanny Sheppard at St Nicholas Parish Church, Bristol, on 4 June 1905.

In the 1911 census Gilbert was living at the Lodge, Broomwell House Road, Brislington with two sons Arthur Russell Lawrence Walker, (b 1907) and George Milburn Walker, (b 1908) and a daughter Reata Walker, (b 1909). All the children were born in Bristol. At the same time Sarah Walker, Wilfred and Gertrude were living in Long Ashton. Wilfred went on to serve with the Devon Regiment, 3rd Battalion and survived the war, dying in 1958.

Gilbert served as a Sapper in the 2nd/1st South Midland Field Company, Royal Engineer. He was killed in action on 8 February 1916, aged 35. He left his wife Eliza Walker and is Remembered with Honour in the Hebuterne Military Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France, (Grave Reference IP 13).

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