Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Walker a bricklayer, born 1877 in Cossington, Leics., and his wife Florence Walker (nee Preston), born 1878 in Sileby, Leics. Wilfred John was born in 1897 in Quorndon, Leics., his siblings were, Lily, born 1899 and Alice, born 1901, both his siblings were born in Sileby, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Barrow Road, Sileby, Leics. In April 1911 Wilfred was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Barrow Road, Sileby, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Lily, a schoolgirl, Alice, a schoolgirl, Lucy, born 1905, Albert Edward, born 1907 and Muriel, born 1908, the latter three siblings were all born in Sileby, Leics.
The War Diary entries for the 17th and 18th June 1917 record. CROISILLES. Dispositions were as follows: - (A) Battalion HQ at T.18.b.8.1. (B) A Company held HUMBER TRENCH and BURG TRENCH from PLUM LANE (inclusive). (C) B Company held HUMBER TRENCH and BURG TRENCH from SAP TRENCH (exclusive) to LUMP LANE (exclusive). (D) C Company held LUMP LANE from BURG TRENCH to TUNNEL TRENCH at U.7.b.50.25. (E) D Company held River Posts at U.7.b.3.7, U.7.b.1.6 and U.7.a.9.5. Battalion HQ heavily shelled on the morning of the 17th instant.
On Friday July 20th 1917, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – SILEBY. LOCAL SOLDIERS DEATH. - Mr and Mrs Arthur Walker, of Sileby, have received official notification of the death in action of their eldest son, Private Wilfred John Walker, Leicestershire Regiment. Private Walker was an old member of the Sileby V.T.C., and had been fifteen months in the army, twelve of which had been spent in France. He was educated at the Sileby C.E. and the Barrow Grammar Schools, and for many years was a member of the choir of Sileby Parish Church. He was 19 years of age.
On Friday July 20th 1917, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” – The following local casualties have been officially reported during the past week: - Mondays List included: - KILLED. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Walker, 27162 W. J. (Sileby).
On Friday July 27th 1917, The Leicester Mail published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” - PTE. W J. WALKER. (A photograph accompanied the article). – Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Walker, Sileby, have received official notification of the death in action of their eldest son, Private Wilfred John Walker, Leicestershire Regiment. Private Walker was an old member of the Sileby V.T.C., and had spent fifteen months in the Army, twelve of which had been spent at the front. He was educated at the Sileby C.E., and Barrow Grammar Schools, and for many years he was a member of the choir of Sileby Parish Church. He was 19 years of age.
On Friday August 3rd 1917, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – SILEBY. LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED. - Mr and Mrs Arthur Walker, Sileby, have received official notification of the death in action of their eldest son, Pte. Wilfred John Walker, Leicestershire Regiment. Private Walker was an old member of the Sileby V.T.C., and had spent fifteen months in the Army, twelve of which had been spent at the front. He was educated at the Sileby C.E. and the Barrow Grammar Schools, and for many years was a member of the choir of Sileby Parish Church. He was 19 years of age.