Soldier Record

My Great Grandfather is buried at Brie British Cemetery, The Somme, France. My husband and I visited his grave last year with our very young daughter, his great-great grandaughter. When she is old enough, we will tell her about him and his friends and why they wouldn't have minded when she ran around by the headstones with her bare feet in the grass.

My Great Grandfather Ernest Walker

Notts Free Press 25th October 1918.

Leaving the Silver Hill Colliery - where he was always a good, hardworking and straightforward lad - L.-Cpl. Ernest Walker, of Leyton Avenue, Skegby, joined the army on February 8th 1915, and saw service in the Dardanelles and Egypt before he was transferred to France. After passing through many battles for three years and seven months without a scratch, he died on September 30th from shell wounds received in action, and was buried on October 1st - the date on which he was married eight years ago. He ws 29 years of age, and leaves a wife and two children. Mrs Walker has received the following letter :-

"It is my sad duty to write you of your dear huband's death. Lance-Corporal E.Walker, 23041. He was admitted to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station at 10pm on September 30th and died at 11.50pm the same evening. He was very severely wounded in the back and was unconscious, so could leave no message. It may comfort you a little to know that he did not suffer. He had every care and attention and everything was done for his comfort. He will be buried in a British Cemetery. I feel for you very much in your sad loss and pray God may comfort you. With deepest sympathy. - Matron"

In memorium 3rd October 1919

In Loving Memory of Private E Walker, 9th Sherwood Foresters, who died of wounds September 30th, 1918. We often sit and talk of him When we are all together, A shadow o'er our life is cast, A loved one gone for ever. - From his loving Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters.