Battle of the Somme Officer’s Memorial Scroll issued in memory of Lieutenant G.W.Q. Walker, 1st/7th Battalion, West Riding Regiment who was killed in action by a shell on 7th July 1916 during the opening stages of the Battle of the Somme, he is now buried

Battle of the Somme Officer’s Memorial Scroll issued in memory of Lieutenant G.W.Q. Walker, 1st/7th Battalion, West Riding Regiment who was killed in action by a shell on 7th July 1916 during the opening stages of the Battle of the Somme, he is now buried in Authuile Military Cemetery, at St. James Church, Slaithwaite, on the Slaithwaite Memorial Scroll and at Huddersfield Drill Hall.

Great War Memorial Scroll named to ‘Lieut. George William Quarmby Walker, West Riding Regiment’

Condition: creased horizontally in 4 places, Good Very Fine

Along with:

Two page handwritten letter home to his mother dated 6th July 1916 thanking her for the chocolate, biscuits and other sweets she had sent him

‘My dearest mother, Very many thanks for the letters up to date & the parcel containing cake, cheese, chocolate biscuits, sweets, lemon crystals etc. It is a god send though we still get our extras – tinned food etc, alright.

I am in the very best of health and enjoying life quite well. At present I look down on a marsh and by the peacefulness of the scene one would never think that there was a war on.

Bradbury has gone back for a day or two for a little rest but is quite well and absolutely normal.

Your letters of the 1st & 2nd inst. In which you note the attack reported in the papers, on British Front. Well you have no need to worry about me at all.

I am pleased that you have had one spell of fine weather at Torquay before you left and no doubt you will feel better for the holiday – oh if you do hear any rumours concerning our welfare in the Colne Valley don’t believe them as even we get very strong false rumours from company to company so things must be terribly exaggerated in England as they have been in previous cases.

Well very best love to all at home and to all inquiring friends.

Letter from Lt. Col Watt dated 9th July 1916:

‘Dear Mrs. Walker,

I deeply regret to inform you that your son lt. Walker of B Battalion, 1st/7th Battalion, West Riding Regiment was killed about 1.30am yesterday (8th July)

He came out of his dug out to fall in his company to march off to another position when a shell exploded close to him. He was killed instantaneously. His death was quite painless. He was officiating in command of a company had done excellent work all the time he was out here. We all very deeply regret his loss. With the deepest sympathy.

Yours very sincerely.

PS: He will be buried in the military cemetery here this afternoon. Details of its position will be sent you later.

Letter dated 16th October 1916 addressed to B.H.S. Walker, Esq, Croft House, Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield stating that George’s effects would be forwarded to him.

Letter from the Imperial War Graves Commission dated 30th December 1926 stating he was buried in Authuile Military Cemetery.

George William Quarmby Walker was the young son of Benjamin Henry Sykes Walker and Hannah Walker, Croft House, Slaithwaite and was educated at Neilds School, Slaithwaite, Longwood Grammar School, Devonport High School and New College, Harrogate. Was apprenticed to Messrs Pogson and Company, yarn spinners, of Slaithwaite, where he was learning the business of mill manager. Was gazetted Second Lieutenant on 14th October 1914 and was in training at Milnsbridge, Withernsea, Strensall and at Chelsea Barracks with the Grenadier Guards. He was killed by the explosion of a shell on 7th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and is now buried in Authuile Military Cemetery.

He is also remembered at St. James Church, Slaithwaite, on the Slaithwaite Memorial Scroll and at Huddersfield Drill Hall.