Walker, Herbert Charles by Central Coast Council

Gosford District Casualties of World War One Bragg, Edmund Allen Walker, Herbert Charles

ServiceNumber Number16475 1494 Service Killed Killed in in Action Action 19th 19th May May 1915 1918 Gallipoli Peninsula France

Gosford City Council gratefully acknowledges the voluntary efforts of Benalyn Campbell And Vivienne Tranter in compiling this resource

The information in this file has been extracted from official records held in the The Australian War Memorial and National Archives of Australia (ÂŠ Commonwealth of Australia [National Archives of Australia] 2013) Further information on this soldier may be found online at: Commonwealth War Graves The AIF project Content advisory: This file may potentially contain disturbing accounts of service-related injury and death, disease and family grief. Adult supervision is recommended for children using these resources. Individual files should be viewed within the context provided by wider research on service conditions in the 1 st AIF. This resource is presented by Gosford City Council for research purposes only. Please note that copyright for resources contained within remains with the original copyright owners.

NAME

Walker, Herbert Charles

SERVICE NO

16475

UNIT

6th Field Engineers

RANK

Sapper

AGE at Enlistment

28 yrs 9 mths

PLACE OF BIRTH

Greta, NSW

ADDRESS OCCUPATION

Engineer

DATE OF ENLISTMENT

6 Jul 1916

PLACE OF ENLISTMENT PREVIOUS SERVICE

Brisbane, Qld

NEXT OF KIN

RELIGION

Parents;- John & Matilda Walker, “Lockness” Ourimbah Creek. Brother;- D J Walker, Bombardier 32755/ Sister;- Doris A Walker, 17 Clarke St Crow’s Nest Height-5’6½”. Weight 155lbs. Chest-37-39”. Complexion-Medium. Eyes-Brown. Hair-Brown. Scar R/Knee & L/Forearm C/E

EMBARKED

2 Dec 1916 Sydney per A67 “Orsova”

DISEMBARKED

17 Feb 1917 Plymouth

NOTES

12-21 Dec 1917- Leave-Paris

WOUNDED/ILLNESS DIED

18 Oct 1917-Adm Hosp Belgium – Myalgia/ 4 Nov 1917- SW Back 19 May 1918- GSW L/side 19 May 1918-

BURIED

Querrieu Brit., Cem., Row C Gve 10

MEDALS

British War Medal-54317, Victory Medal-53520. Memorial Plaque & Scroll345630.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

DEPENDANTS PERSONAL EFFECTS

Purse, tobacco pouch/

WILL

Beneficiary;- sister Doris Ann Walker

CORRESPONDENCE

Father/ Mother/ Sister;- Doris A Walker, 17 Clarke St Crow’s Nest/

REMARKS

Includes photo of cross on grave

Gosford Times 29th November 1917 Mr John Walker, of Ourimbah Creek, received a cable on the 24 th stating that his eldest son, Sapper H.C. Walker, had been slightly wounded but was remaining on duty. He enlisted with the 6 th Field Company of Engineers last December.

Gosford Times 6th June 1918 OURIMBAH DEATH OF SAPPER WALKER. On Thursday Rev. A.P. Hanington, Rector of Wyong, received the following telegram from Victoria Barracks; - Sapper H.C. Walker, Seventh Field Company Engineers, late December Reinforcements, died of wounds 19th May, 1918, “lochness” Ourimbah Creek – COLONEL SANDFORD” The late Sapper Walker was 30 years of age, and was Mr J. Walkers’s eldest son. He has another lade, aged 22, in the trenches in France. Widespread sympathy is felt for the Walker family in their sad bereavement.

Gosford Times 13th June 1918 RETURN THANKS MR & MRS J. WALKER AND FAMILY, “Lochness”, Ourimbah Creek, beg to tender sincere thanks to their many friends for cards, letters, telegrams, and other expressions of sympathy (especially to Rev. A.P. Hanington and Vigilance Committee) in their recent sad bereavement.

Gosford Times 26th September 1918 LATE SAPPER WALKER. Mr John Walker, of “Lochness”, Ourimbah Creek, has received the following letter in connection with the death of his son, Sapper H.C. Walker, who was killed in action in France on 19th May last:- “Somewhere in France, July 9, 1918. – Dear Mr Walker, - I am sorry that so many weeks should have elapsed since the death of your gallant son on May 19th, without my having an opportunity of writing to express my sympathy and that of the Company. However, I know that Lieut. Davies wrote a few days afterwards, and that he gave you all the particulars which you would be most anxious to have. Your son’s death was a great blow to us all, because he was such a splendid chap in every desirable way, and tremendously popular with the Company. The job on which he received his fatal wound was the throwing of some light bridges across the Ancre, and was a particularly dangerous one as the enemy were holding the other side of the river. However, the bridges were of great assistance early the following morning in our attack on Vile Sur Ancre. No doubt Lieut. Davies has already assured you that no time was lost in getting your son back to the dressing station, but unfortunately his wounds were too severe, and, I understand, he died in the motor ambulance on his way back to the C.C.S. I saw his grave several days ago. It is in a little Australian cemetery near Querrico, and is marked by a cross made by his section – With deepest sympathy, yours very sincerely, Norman C Harris, Major, O.C. 6th Field Company, A.E.

Gosford Times 10th October 1918 OURIMBAH CREEK Mr John Walker, “Lochness”, has received the following letter in connection with the death of his soldier son:At sea. – August, 1918 – Dear Mr Walker, - Doubtless long -ere this reaches you, you will have received the very sad news concerning your son, Sapper H.C. Walker, 16475, 6th A.F.A. Engineers. I would have written to you sooner but was unfortunately evacuated sick and did not have opportunity earlier. I am now on my way to Australia on duty, and hope to return to the boys ere long. Your son was wounded at the Norlancourt section on 19 th May, and was taken with all speed to where he could receive every possible medical care. Unfortunately, however, in spite of all that was done, his wounds proved too severe (he had a bad shell wound in the left side), and he died early the same day. You can rest assured that everything that could possibly be done for him was done, and every effort made to save his life. His remains were laid to rest in a military cemetery at Querrien and a wooden cross has been erected over his grave to mark his last resting place. I read our beautiful church service at the grave, and thus we leave him until the Resurrection Morn. I know just how sad all this news is, but I am sure that the Great Sacrifice which your son and so many others have made will not be in vain, but will yet yield an abundant harvest of Peace and Victory. You can be proud to know that your son died in honour, bravely facing the foe, and that he has given his life in the great cause of Truth and Right and Liberty, fighting for his God, his King, His country, and for you. In assuring you of my deep sympathy with you to your great loss, I commend you to the unfailing care and keeping of our Heavenly Father Who alone can comfort and console those who have been bereaved of their dear sons. He will not fail nor forsake you – With true sympathy, I am, yours sincerely, thos c. robinson, Chaplan O.E., 21st Battalion, P.S.- I hope you will received a disc, woundstripe and button which I sent you in May last. Also knife pouch and purse which were sent to you through the military authorities.

Gosford Times 22nd May 1919 WALKER â&#x20AC;&#x201C; In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Sapper Herbert Charles (Bert), died of wounds received in France, 19th May, 1918. Sadly we are thinking Of our soldier boy so brave, Who has fought for the cause of Freedom, And now he lies in a heroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grave. Inserted by his loving parents, John and Tillie Walker, and sisters and briothers. WALKER In loving memory of my dear brother, Sapper Herbert Charles (Bert) died of wounds 19 th May, 1918. Gone is the brother I loved so well, Silent the voice I loved to hear; His unknown grave is the bitterest blow That only an aching heart can know. Inserted by his fond and loving sister, Millie.

Abridged record/s courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA) Series No: B2455 Item Barcode: 3004691