Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Walker, a bricklayer’s labourer, born 1861 in Shepshed, Leicestershire and his wife Maria Walker (nee Marvin, married on the 27th December 1886 in Shepshed Parish Church, Leicestershire), born 2nd October 1864 in Shepshed. George Albert was born on the 25th September 1892 in Shepshed and was baptised on the 25th June 1894 in Shepshed Parish Church, his siblings were, Fred Marvin, a shoe trade riveter, born 17th February 1885 and baptised on the 19th July 1885 in Shepshed Parish Church, Sarah Ann, a hosiery trade machinist, born 29th November 1887 and baptised on the 27th August 1890 in Shepshed Parish Church, Mary, born 29th June 1890 and baptised on the 27th August 1890 in Shepshed Parish Church, Lily, born 20th December 1894 and baptised on the 20th May 1896 in Shepshed Parish Church, Ellen, born 1896 and baptised on the 20th May 1896 in Shepshed Parish Church, Charles, born 9th December 1898 and baptised on the 1st June 1899 in Shepshed Parish Church and Ethel, born 1901, all his siblings were born in Shepshed, in March 1901 the family home was at Ring Fence, Shepshed. In April 1911 George was employed as a lace trade worker and was residing in the family home at Ring Fence, Shepshed, together with his father, a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Sarah, a hosiery trade mender, Mary, a hosiery trade mender, Lily, a hosiery trade worker, Ellen, a hosiery trade worker, Charles, a schoolboy, Ethel, a schoolgirl, Jarvis, a schoolboy, born 1904, Thomas Reginald, a schoolboy, born 25th April 1905 and Ernest, born 1908, the latter three siblings were all born in Shepshed.
George’s Army records do not survive, what is known is that he enlisted into the 1/5th (Territorial) Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, as a Private, service number 3438, later renumbered to 241174, and with his Battalion he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 30th June 1915. George died in the 7th Casualty Clearing Station, along with 11 of his comrades from accidental gas poisoning on the 21st June 1917. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 21 Jun-17 - RED MILL. Accidental gassing of “C” Company by ROYAL ENGINEERS, cylinders of gas fell in our line. Casualties 3 officers and 91 other ranks of whom 22 died.
The following is an account of the accident that befell the 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment taken from the book “THE FIFTH LEICESTERSHIRE” by Captain J. D. Hills, M.C., Croix de Guerre.
At dusk on the 21st we received a message, and at once warned all ranks, the Special Brigade R.E. were going to carry out a gas bombardment on the mine buildings of Fosse 3. Projectors would be fired by a Company operating with the Canadian Corps, from whose front the buildings could be best attacked. The wind was satisfactory, and the buildings were at least 150 yards away from our nearest trenches, so there seemed no need of any special precautions. “C” Company, occupying Boot and Brick trenches, heard the familiar explosion as the projectors went off, and waited to hear them fall in the buildings. Instead they fell in our trenches, several hundred of them; in a few seconds, and before any warning could be shouted, the trenches were full of phosgene, the deadliest of all gasses. Officers and men working hard to rouse those resting, and, in particular, 2nd Lieut. Banwell taking no heed for his own safety, went everywhere, rousing, rescuing and helping the badly gassed. But it was too late, and all through the night and next morning casualties were being carried out to Lievin and down the line. 2nd Lieut’s. Cragg and Macbeth both went to England, and, almost the last to leave the slag heap, 2nd Lieut. Banwell. His great strength had enabled him to survive longer than the others, but no constitution could stand all that phosgene, and during the morning he suddenly fainted, and had to be carried down. By the time he reached Lievin he was almost dead, and the Doctors held out no hope of his recovery. However, fed on oxygen and champagne he lasted a week, and then, to everybody’s surprise, began to recover. The greatest surprise of all was when this marvellous man refused to go to England, but preferred to remain in Hospital in France until fit enough to rejoin his own Battalion. With the exception of Capt. Moore, who was fortunately on leave at the time, “C” Company was wiped out and temporarily ceased to exist. Twenty four died from the poison, and in all sixty-two others of the Company went to Hospital. Most of these found their way to England, though one or two, such as Serjt. Needham and L/Cpl. Tookey, both fighting men, preferred to remain and return to us. “D” Company also had their losses, and Serjeant Sullivan and nine others were gassed, ten others wounded. The rest of the Battalion escaped untouched. The following night the 8th Sherwood Foresters came into the line, and we went back to Marqueffles Farm.
On Friday June 29th 1917 The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “SHEPSHED” – DIED FROM GAS POISONING. – Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walker, of Ring Fence, have been notified of the death of their son, Private Geo. Walker, Leicestershire Regiment which occurred on June 21st as a result of gas poisoning received in action in France. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents and relatives.