Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Slater Walker, a farmer, born in the April quarter of 1853 in Millom, Cumberland (son of Edward Walker, 1826-1877 and Mary Ann Postlethwaite, 1823) and his wife Jane Walker (nee Meredith, married on the 8th May 1883 in St. Mary’s Church, Ulverston, Lancashire), born in the October quarter of 1857 in Ulverston (daughter of John Meredith, 1818 and Jane Cowley, 1825). Herbert was born in the July quarter of 1887 in Monks Kirby, Warwickshire, his siblings were, Clara Eleanor, a schoolgirl, born on the 8th February 1884 in Millom, Elizabeth Jane, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1886 in Ulverston and Mary Isabel, born on the 17th February 1890 in Monks Kirby, in April 1891 the family home was at Cretersover, Monks Kirby, Warwickshire. In March 1901 Herbert was residing in the family home at Barwell Fields, St. Mary’s, Barwell, Leicestershire, together with his father, a farmer, his mother and siblings, Clara, a pupil teacher, Elizabeth, Mary and Margaret, born in the July quarter of 1892 in Monks Kirby. In April 1911 Herbert was employed as an elementary school teacher, and was residing in the family home at Frith House, Barwell, Leicestershire, together with his father, a farmer, his mother and siblings, Clara, an elementary school teacher, Elizabeth, Mary, an elementary school teacher and Margaret, an elementary school teacher.
Herbert enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 25th August 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 2335. He gave his place of birth as Monks Kirby, Warwickshire and age as 27 years 2 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as schoolmaster.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 26th August 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Monks Kirby, Warwickshire, declared age as 27 years 60 days, trade or occupation as schoolmaster, that he was [no record]-feet inches in height, weighed [no record] lbs, had a chest measurement of between [no record] and [no record] inches, his vision was described as [no record] his physical development was described as [no record]. Enlisted at Leicester on the 25th August 1914. Joined on enlistment 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, James Slater Walker, Frith House, Hinckley.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 25/8/14.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 25/8/14.
Embodied service commenced. 25/8/14.
Embarked. With 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 2/3/15.
Landed. At Le Havre. 3/3/15.
Wounded. Gunshot wound. In the Field. 24/5/15.
Admitted. To No.13 Hospital, Boulogne. 25/5/15.
Transferred. To No.12 Hospital, Rouen. 29/5/15.
Transferred. To Base Depot, Rouen. 23/6/15.
Joined. Base Depot, Rouen. 24/6/15.
Proceeded. To join 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 27/6/15.
Reported. Missing in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Body recovered and buried by Officer Commanding 4th Bn. Grenadier Guards. In the Field.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 25/8/14 – 1/3/15. 189 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 13/10/15. 226 days.
Total Service. 1 year 50 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Friday, December 10th, 1915, The Leicester Mail published the following article on page seven, under the heading. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – BARWELL SOLDIER KILLED. – Private Herbert Walker, aged 28, 0f the 1/4th Leicester’s, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Walker, of Frith House, Barwell, was killed during the famous charge on October 13th. He had been reported missing. Private Walker was educated at Hinckley Grammar School, and became an assistant master of Hinckley Church of England Schools. He answered his country’s call on the outbreak of war.
On Saturday, December 11th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article on page seven, under the heading. – Barwell School Teacher Killed. – News has been received of the death in action of Private HERBERT WALKER, of the 1/4th Leicestershire regiment, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Walker, of Frith House, Barwell, during the famous charge on the Hohenzollern Redoubt on October 13. Private Walker was educated at Hinckley Grammar School, in which he always took a keen interest, being a member of the Old Hinckleyans’ Association, and a prominent member of the Old Hinckleyans’ Cricket Club. He was an assistant master at Hinckley Church Schools for some years and enlisted at the outbreak of war. He proceeded to the front in February of this year. He was wounded in the head in May last, and was absent from his regiment for about five weeks. On his return he was made a sniper, and in August was attached to the machine gun section, remaining with them until his death. The deceased’s parents feel the blow more keenly as they were expecting their son home shortly. He had been recommended for a commission in the 6th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and was awaiting his release from duty in France at the time of the great charge. Much sympathy has locally been extended towards the bereaved parents and sisters.
[recognitum II-XI-MMXXII]